The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-05-23

lit was at one Of Maggie's studio
dances, too-was bookmaker. And
retired prize-fghter brought me
home once from an Albert Hall dance"
How did he behave?" Francis
asked.
HE was wistful but restrained.
Lady Cynthia replied. quite the gen.
tleman. in fact"
you encourage me to hope for the.
BEST" Sir Timothy said. rising to his
feet. "You will excuse me now?
have few final preparations to
make"
"Are we to be allowed" Margaret
inquired, ito come across the parkY
you would not find it convenient"
her father assured her. "You had bet
ter order a car, say for ten O'Clock.
Don't forget to bring your cards Of
Invitation, and find me Immediately
you arrive. / wish to direct your pro-
ceedings to some extent"
{ Lady Cynthia strolled across with
him to the postern-gate and stood by
his side after he had opened it. Sew
eral of the animals, grazing in differ
ent parts of the park, pricked up their
ears at the sound. An old mare came
hobbling towards him; a f1ea-bitten
gray came trotting down the field, his
head in the air. neighing loudly.
you waste a great deal of tender
ness upon your animal friends, dear
host" she murmured.
At the entrance to the great gates
of the Walled House, two men In liv-
cry were standing. One Of them ex-
amined with care the red cards of
invitation, and as soon as he was sat-
isfied the gates were opened by some
unseen agency. The moment the car
had passed through, they were closed
again.
Father seems thoroughly medieval
over this business" Margaret re-
marked, looking about her with inter-
est. What quaint courtyard. too!
1t really/is quite Italian"
"It seems almost incredible that you
have never been here!" Lady Cynthia
exclaimed. Curiosity would have
brought me If 1 had had to climb over
the wall! !"
1T does seem absurd in one way"
Margaret agreed, "but, as matter OF
fact, my fathers attitude about the
place has always rather set me against
it. I didn't feel that there was any
pleasure to be gained by coming here.
won't tell you really what did think.
We must keep to our bargain. We
are not to anticipate"
At the front entrance, under the COW
cred portico, the white tickets which
they had received in exchange for their
tickets of invitation, were carefully
collected by another man, who stopped
the car a few yards from the broad,
curving steps. After that, there was
no more suggestion Of inhospitality.
The front doors, which were Of enor-
nous size and height, seemed to have
been removed, and in the great domed
hall beyond Sir Timothy was already
receiving guests. Being without wraps.
the little party made an immediate en-
trance. Sir Timothy, who was talking
to one of the best-known of the for
eign ambassadors, took step forward
to meet them.
Welcome" he said. you. the most
unique party, at least. amongst my
guests. Prince. may present you to
my daughter, Mrs. Hilditch? Lady
Cynthia Milton and Mr.. Ledsam you
know, believe"
Sir Timothy, later, in a moments
respite from the infiowing stream Of
guests. came once more across to
them.
II am going to leave you, my hon
ored guests from the Sanctuary" he
said. with a faint smile, Ito your.
selves for short time. In the room
to your left, supper is being served.
1 want you to meet me in room which
I will show you. at quarter to
twelve"
He led them down one of, the corri-
doris which opened from the hall. Be
fore the first door on the right man
servant was standing as though on
sentry duty. Sir Timothy tapped the
panel of the door with his forefinger.
''This is my sanctum," he announced.
II allow no one In here without spe-
cial permission. / find it useful to
have a place to which one can come
and rest quite quietly sometimes.
Williams here has no other duty ex-
cept to guard the entrance. Williams,
you will allow this gentleman and
these two ladies to pass in at a quar-
ter to twelve"
The man looked at them searchingly.
Certainly. sir" he said. mo one
else?"
mo one, under any pretext."
Sir Timothy hurried back to the hall.
and the others followed him in more
leisurely fashion. They were all three
full of curiosity.
st never dreamed" Margaret de-
clared, as she looked around her, "that
should ever find myself inside this
house. It has always seemed to me