Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-06-25
CHAPTER Xxx
- e..

garden On the following morning.
Their conversation was a little dis
JOinted, az the conversation of lovers
I'm a secluded and beautiful spot
should be. but they came back often
80 the subject of Sir Timothy.
IF I have misunderstood your ia
fher," Francis declared, "and I admit
shat have, it has been to some extent
his own fault. To me he was always
the deliberate scoffer against any code
OF morals, rebel against the law even
II not criminal in actual deeds. |
honestly believed that the Walled
House was the scene of disreputable
orgies, that your father was behind
Fairfax in that coId-blooded murder,
and that he was responsible in some
sinister way for the disappearance of
Reggie Wilmore. Most of these things
meem TO have been shams, like the
eight last night"
She moved uneasily in her place.
81 am glad l did not see that" she
said, with a SILVER.
Il think" he went on, chat the rea-
son why your father insisted upon
Lady Cynthia's and my presence there
was that he meant it as a sort of allie
CORY. Half the vices in life he claims
are unreal"
Margaret passed her arm through
ais and leaned little toward him.
IF you knew just one thing l have
never told you" she confided, 81 think
shat you would feel sorry for him. l
do, more and more every day, because
In a way that one thing is my fault"
Notwithstanding the warm sunshine,
she suddenly shivered. Francis took
her hands in his. They were cold and
iifeless.
Il know that one thing, DEAR" he
told her quietly.
She looked at him stonily. There
was a questioning fear in her eyes.
you know"
Il know that your father killed
Oliver Hilditch."
She suddenly broke out into stream
of words. There was passion in her
Zone and in her eyes. She was almost
the accuser
My father was right, thenl" she
exclaimed. "He told me this morning
4hat he believed that it was TO Won
or to your friend at Scotland Yard
that Walter had told his story. But
you don't know-you don't know how
terrible the temptation was-how-
you see L say it quite coolly-how
Oliver Hilditch deserved to die. He
was trusted by my father in South
america and he deceived him. he
forged the letters which induced me
90 marry him. 1t was part of his
scheme of revenge. This was the first
time we had any of us met since I
told my father the truth that after
hoon. He knew for the first time how
my marriage came about My hus-
band had prayed me to keep silent, I
refused. Then he became like devil
We we've there, we three, that night
after you left, and Francis, as l live,
II my father had not killed him. /
should have"
~ There was 3 time when l believed
that you had" ne reminded her. 81
didn't behave like q pedagogic up
holder of the letter of the law then,
did II"
She drew closer to him.
you were wonderful" she whis-
pered.
Dearest, your father has nothing
90 fear from me-" ne assured her ten
'1erly. ION the contrary, 1 think that
u can show him the way to safety"
She rose impulsively to her feet.
HE will be here directly" sbJ said.
"B1e promised to come ACT oss at
A1alf-past twelve. Let us go and meet
aim. But, Francis"
For a single moment she crept into
MS arms. Their lips met, her eyes
ShOne into his. He held her away
Crom him moment later The change
was amazing. She was no longer a
tired woman. She had become girl
again. Her eyes were soft with hap
piness, the little lines had gone from
about her mouth, she walked with all
the spring of youth and happiness.
1T is marvellous" she whispered.
II never dreamed that should ever
be happy again"
They crossed the rustic bridge which
led on to the lawn. Lady Cynthia
came out of the house to meet them.
She showed no signs of fatigue, but
Der eyes and her tone were full of
anxiety.
Margaret" she cried, "do you know
02at the hall is filled with your IA
Nser's luggage, and that the car is
Srdered to take him to Southampton
directly after lunch?'
Margaret and Francis exchanged
glances.
"Sir Timothy may change his mind"
che latter observed. II have news for
aim directly he arrives"
On the other side of the wall they
Eeard the whinnying of the old mare.
El,a snl,,,d af s-allL,..sz>.-