Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-03-27
BY
E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
csvyrishs " Ll1sis, BTsva 400 canoaa'

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fore the porch, ----=s-
"Sir Timothy begs you to excuse
him this morning, SIR" he announced.
His secretary has arrived from town
with a very large correspondence.
which they are now engaged upon"
land Mrs. Hildltch7" Francis ven
tured.
II have not seen her maid this
morning. sir" the man replied. "but
Mrs. Hilditch never rises before mid
day. Sir Timothy hopes that you slept
well, SIR, and would like you to sign
the visitors book"
Francis signed his name -meehan-
icalIy. and was turning away when
Lady Cynthia called to him from the
stairs. She was dressed for travelling
and followed by q maid. carrying her
dresslng-case.
"Wlll you take me up to town, Mr..
Ledsam7 ?" she asked.
Delighted" he answered.
Their dressing-cases were strapped
together behind and Lady Cynthia
sank into the cushions by his side.
They drove away from the house.
Francis with a backward glance Of re
greet. The striped sun-blInds had been
lowered over all the windows. thrushes
and blackbirds were twlttering on the
lawn, the air was sweet with the
perfume Of Sewers, beatmaR was
busy With the boats. Out beyond,
through the trees. the river wound Its
placid way.
"Quite little paradise" Lady Gym
thia murmured.
Delightful" her companion assent |
ed. II suppose great wealth has its
obligations, but why any human being /
should rear such a structure as what
he calls his Borghese villa, when he
has charming place like that to live
In. can't imagine"
Her silence was significant, almost
She unwound the veil
from her motoring turban, took 1t of
altogether and attached II to the cush-
IONS Of the car with a hatpln.
There" she said. leaning back, 'you
can now gaze upon horrible ex-
ample to the young women OF today.
Hou can see the ravages which late
hours, innumerable cocktails, a thirst
or excitement, contempt OF the sim
pie pleasures OF life, have worked
upon my once comedy features. was
lutte good-Iooking, you know, In the
lays you first knew me-"
You were the most beautiful debu-
ante OF your season." he agreed
What do you think OF me now7"
he asked.
She met his gaze without filnchIng.
Ter face was unnaturally thin. with
hollows underneath her
heekbones; her lips lacked color;
ven her eyes were lusterless. Her
air seemed to lack brilliancy. Only
err sllken eyebrows remained unim- q
aired, and certain charm OF express c
lon which nothing seemed able to de-
troy. q
You look tired" he said.
BE honest. my dear man." she re- Z
)lned dryly. II am physical wreck.
ependent upon cosmetics for the looks
hitch am still clever enough to 4
aim of on the uninltlated." p
"Why don't you lead a Quieter llfef" a
e asked. "a month or so In the coun- g
y would put you all right. II you v
ere my sister. I'd take you away for y
fortnight and put you on the road to q
cling cured"
Then wish were your sister," Il
le sighed.
Don't think I'm unsympathetic," he 81
emf on, because I'm not. II is lust G
~ people who are cursed with a W
stless brain who are 10 the most d
lngerous position. nowadays The "a
ings which keep US healthy and nor
al physlcally-games, farces, dinner q
rites OF young people, fresh air and OF
ercise-are the very things which
ter time fall to satisfy the person W
til Imagination. You want more out
life, always the something you don't
the something beyond. rs
Id so you keep on trying new things, W
d for every new thing you try. you
op an old one. Isn't It something oe
,e thatr ca
II suppose It Is" she admitted a
.arily.
Il could point out the promised land.
I how could l lead you to lit" he
swered.
'You don't like me well enough" = =
g sighed. g.
4 like you better than you believe"
answered her, slackening his speed
little. 1--WE have met. suppose, a va
zen times In our lives. l have
need with you here and there, talked xel
nsense once. l remember. at a musl- ar,
reception"
I tried to fiirt with you then" she esl
errupted Ia
lie nodded. ire
I was in the midst OF great case I
said and everything thar hap tn,
led to me outside Il was swept out :
my mind day by day What was sfv
ne to say IL that I have always me