Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-04-30
The Evil Shepherd
1 E. PHILLIPS OPPENrF1M


TOO late" ne regretted. During
the last month or so the thing has
come TO me which we all look for
ward to, only l don't think fate has
treated me kindly l have always
loved normal ways and normal people.
and the woman l care for is different"
Tell me about her!" she insisted.
You will be very surprised when l
tell you her name," he said. 1T is
Margaret Hilditch."
She looked at him for moment in
blank establishment
"Heavensw she exclaimed. "Oliver
Hilditch's wife?"
Il can't help that" he declared, a
little doggedly. "She's had a miser-
able time. l know. She was married
to scamp. I'm not quite sure that
her father isn't as bad a one. Those
things don't make any difference"
"They wouldn't with you," she said
softly. Tell me, did you say any
thing to her last night?"
II did," he replied. 81 began when
we were out alone together. She gave
me no encouragement to speak of, but
at any rate she knows"
Lady Cynthia leaned a little for
ward in her place
do you know where she is now?"
He was a little startled.
Down at the cottage, 1 suppose.
The butler told me that she never
rose before midday"
Then for once the butler was mis-
taken his companion told him. Mar
garet Hilditch left at six o'clock this
morning. l saw her in travelling
clothes get into the car and drive
away"
"She left the cottage this morning
before us?" Francis repeated, amazed
Il can assure you that she did,
Lady Cynthia insisted. CT never sleep,
amongst my other peculiarities," she
went on bitterly, land l was lying on
couch by the side of the open win
dow when the car came for her. She
stopped it at the bend of the avenue
so that it shouldn't wake US up, sup
pose. 1 saw her get in and drive
away"
Francis was silent for several mo-
ments. Lady Cynthia watched him
curiously.
cat any rate" she observed, Gin
whatever mood she went away this
morning, you have evidently succeed
ed in doing what have never seen any
one else do-breaking through her in
difference. l shouldn't have thought
that anything short of an earthquake
would have stirred Margaret, these
days"
These days." he repeated quickly.
How long have you known her?"
I'VE were at school together for a
short time" she told him. "It was
while her father was in South Ameri-
ca. Margaret was very different per-
son in those days"
However was she induced to marry
person like oliver Hilditch?" Fran
els speculated.
His companion shrugged her Shout
ders
"Who knows?" she answered indif-
ferently. "Are you going to drop me?"
Wherever you like"
Take me on to Grosvenor square,
If you will, them" she begged, land de
posit me at the ancestral mansion. l
am really rather annoyed about Mar
garet," she went on, rearranging her
veil. Il had begun to have hopes that
you might have revived my taste for
normal things"
eff 1 had had the slightest intima-
ton" he murmured
1T would have made no difference,
she interrupted dolefully. "Now /
come to think of it, the Margaret
whom l used to know-and there must
be plenty of her left yet-is just the
right type of woman for you"
They drew up outside the house in
Grosvenor square. Lady Cynthia held
out her hand.
Come and see me one afternoon,
will your she invited.
I'D like to very much" he replied.
She fingered on the steps and waved
her hand to nina graceful, some
what insolent gesture.
"All the same l think I shall do my
best to make you forget Margaret" she
called out. Thanks for the lift up.
A bientot!"