Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-03-27

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was too late. With little sob Of pas
sion his lips were pressed 10 hers.
Even as she closed her eyes. the scent
Of the lilies seemed TO lntoxicaie him.
he was back In his place without
conscious movement His pulses were
quivering, the passion singing In his
blood the Joy OF her faint caress living
proudly In his memory. II had been
the moment Of his life, and yet even
now he felt sick at heart with fears,
with the torment OF her passIveness.
She had lain there in his arms, he had
felt the thrill OF her body. some quaint
Inspiration had told him that she had
sought for Joy in that moment and had
not wholly failed. Yet his anxiety was
tumultuous. overwhelming. Then she
spoke, and his heart leaped again. Her
voice was more natural. II was not
voice which he had ever heard be-
fore.
Give me- cigarette, please-and
want TO go back.
He leaned over her again, struck a
match with trembling fingers and give
her the cigarette, She smiled at him
very family.
please 90 back now" she begged.
Smoke yourself, take me home slowly I
and say nothing"
He obeyed, but his knees were shak-
Ing when he stood ND. Slowly. foot at
a ttmes they passed from the mesh OF /
the lilies out into the broad stream.
Almost as they did so, the yellow rim
OF the moon came up over the low hills.
AS they turned into their own stream.
the light was strong enough for HIP to
see her face. She lay there like a
ghost, her eyes half closed. the only
tOuct Of color In the shining strands
OF her beautiful hair. She reused her
self little as they swung around. He
paused, leaning upon the pole.
on are not angry7" he asked.
mo, am not angry" she answered.
why should be7 But cannot talk
to you about II tonight"
They glided to the edge OF the land
ing-stage. A servant appeared and Sc
cured the punt.
"Is Sir Timothy back YETI" Margaret
inquired.
mot yet, madam"
She turned TO Francis.
Please 90 and have a whisky and
soda in the smoking ROOM" she said,
pointing to the open French windows
Il am going to my favorite seat. You
win find me just across the bridge,
there"
He healtated, filled with a passionate
to leave her side even
for moment. She seemed to under
stand, but she pointed once more to the !
room.
Il should like very much" she
added. TO be alone for FIVE minutes
Il you will come and fnd me then
please I" !
Francis stepped through the French \
windows into the smoking room. 1
where all the paraphernalIa for salts !
wing thirst we're set out upon the
Ildeboard. He helped himself to
whisky and soda and drank IT absently, 4
With bis eyes hxed upon the clockEIn 4
I've minutes he stepped once more !
Jack into the gardens, soft and brill n
liant now in the moonlight. AS he did
10, he heard the click OF the gate In h
be wall, and footsteps. His host, with :,
lady Cynthia upon his arm, came into :,
light and crossed the lawn towards =
i'm. Francis. filled though his mind =
vas with other thoughts. paused for a
loment and glanced towards them :,
Lady Cynthia seemed for a
loment to have lost all her WEAKNESS.
Ter eyes were very bright; she walked y
nth new spring in her movements. ,
wen her voice. as she addressed Fran =
Is, seemed altered. ~
"Slr Timothy has been showing me =
1me OF the wonders Of his villa-do -
on call II a villa or a palaceT she -
sked. :.
ut Is certainly not a palace" Sir :.
imothy protested, "and fear that It "
IS scarcely the atmosphere Of a villa. ~
is an attempt to combine certain ~ :.
cas- OF my own with the requirements -
modern entertainment. Come and 81
i've a drink with us, Ledsam." y, u,
Il have just had one" Francis re- -
led. Mrs. Hilditch Is in the rose
raen and am on my way to join "
4.
He passed on and the two moved on
wards the open French windows. He az
ossed the rustic bridge that led into
e flower garden. turned down the sn
rgola and came to a sudden stand
N before the seat which Margaret he
d indicated. II was empty, but in a
Q corner lay the long-stalked lily de
Itch she had picked In the backwa- da
: He stood there for q moment. no
lnslxed. There were other seats ca
d chairs In the garden. but he knew
fore he started his search that II was Int
vain. She had gone. The flower.
DOPING little now, though the stalk
IS still wet with the moisture OF the he
'er. seemed TO him Ike her farewell. pei
Francis was surprised. when he de- OF
ended for breakfast the next morn col