Gunnison news-champion., 1924-03-21

Uf b.. .a aar..a. ...E So. -ul--g leF-
self a ErrI. - rh-y swung arUunT- lie
paused. leaning upon the pole.
You Hre not anEryf- be asEed-
NO. / am not angry she answered.
70 you gbOut II tonight"
They giItsd To the edge Of the land
ing-stEEe. 4 servant appeared and se-
cured the punt
Is Sir Timothy back yetT- MarSares
inquired
-SJt yet. madam"
She turned 10 Francis
Please - and have 4 whisky and
soda In the smoking ROOM" sh. said.
pointing to the open Fr.nra windows
I am gu!ng TO my fayorfte seat Yor
Will find me just across the bridg.
there"
He hesitsred. filled with a passionate
dlsluclInation 10 leave her side even
'or moment She seemed 70 under
stand but she pointed once more Ia the
room.
i should ike very much she
added. Ito be alone for five minutes.
II you viii come and md me then
please"
Francis stepped through the French
windows into the smoking room.
where all the paraphernalla for salts
flying thlrst we're set out upon the
sldeh1ard He helped himself TO
whisky and soda and drank II absentiy.
with his eyes hNed upon the clock. In
tye minutes be stepped one. more
back into the gardens soft and bril-
liant now In the moonlight. As b. did
20. be heard the click Of the gate In
the wall. and footsteps. His host. with
Lady Cynthia upon his arm. came into
sight md crossed the lawn towards
him. Francis allied though his mind
was with other thoughts. paused for a
moment and glanced towards them
Cur!0usly. Lady Cynthia seemed for a
moment 10 have lost all her WEAKNESS.
Her eyes were very bright she walked
with a new spring In her movements
Even her voice, as she addressed Fran.
els. seemed altered
"Slr Timothy has been showing me
some Of the wonders Of his yiila-do
you call it villa or palaceY" she
nskcd.
1T j. certainly not palace" Sir
Timothy protested. and fear that II
has scarcely the atmosphere Of villa
II is m attempt to combine certain
Ideas pf my own with the requirements
Of modern entertainment. Come and
have drink with MS. Ledsam."
Il have just had one" Francis re
piled, Mrs. Hllditch is in the rose
garden and am ON my way to join
her"
He passed on and the two moved
towards IN. open French windows. He
crossed the rustic bridge that led into
the flower ghSden. turned down the
pergola and came 10 sudden stand
still before the seat which Margaret
had Indicated. II was empty. but In
the corner lay the long stalked lily
which she had picked in the backwa-
ter. He stood there for n moment.
transfiScd There were other seats
and chairs in the garden. but he knew
before he started his search that II was
In vain. She had gone. The flower.
dropping little now. though the stalk
WAS still wet with the moisture OF the
river. seemed to him like her farewell.
Francis was surprised. when he de-
,cended for breakfast the next morn
Ing. to find the table laid for one only.
The butler, who was waiting. handed
him the daily papers and wheeled the
electric heater to his side.
rs no one else breakfustlngf
Francis asked.
"Sir Timothy and Mrs. HildItch are
always served In their rooms. sir. Her
ladyship is taking her coffee up
stairs"
Francis ate his breakfast. glanced
through the Times, III cigarette and
went round 10 the garage for his car.
The butler met him as he drove up be-
fore the porch.
"SIr Timothy begs you to excuse
him this morning, SIR" he announced.
His secretary has arrived from town
with n very large correspondence.
which they are now engaged upon"
And Mrs. Hilditchf" Francis ven
tured.
Il have not seen her maid this
morning. sir" the man replied, .bu,
Mrs. Hllditch 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 mechan.
ically. and was turning away when
Lady Cynthia called to him from the
stairs She was dressed for travelling
and followed by a maid. carrying her
dressing-case.
sWIll you take me up to town, Mr..
LedsaDf = she asked
Delighted" he answered.
Their dressIng-cases were strained
together behind and Lady Cynthia
sank into the cushions by his side
They drove away from the house
Francis with n backward giance>of re-
gret. The striped sun-blinds had been
I0werp,f oil VI ,,.;.x.