Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-04-10
E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
coprirs' BY LIr'is, H'svn and conO.a'

VIC htAVh lAlul nE HAS a WOuUETIl
gymnasium there. but the only def
mite rumor l have ever heard about
the place is that men fight there who
have a grudge against one another
and that they are not too particular
about the weight OF the gloves. That
doesn't appeal to us. you know, Mar
garet. but II isn't criminal"
III that we're all r. she murmured.
II dare say It Is" he declared. Lon
don, as you know, IS hot-bed OF Cos
sip. Everything that goes on Is ride
ulously exaggerated. and / think that
1t rather appeals to your fathers Gu.
ri0us sense of humor to pose as the
law-breaker."
She pressed his arm a little. The
cay was overcast, slight rain was
beginning to fall.
"Francls.' she whispered, I'VE had
perfect day here yesterday. Now
the sun has gone and / am shlvery."
He understood In a moment.
Wen lunch at Ranelagh," he suc-
gested. ut is almost on the way up.
Then we can see what the weather is
ike. If 1t is bad. we can dine In town
tonight and do a theater."
you are a dear" she told him fer.
vently. Il am going in to get ready"
Francis went round to the garage
for his car, and brought II TO the front
While he was sitting there. Sir Tim
cthy came through the door in the
wall. He was smoking a cigar and he
Wis holding an umbrella TO protect
his white flannel suit. He WAS as
usual wonderfully gToomed and turned
'ut, but he walked as though he were
-lred, and his smile. as he greeted
francis, lacked a little of fits usual
lghthearted mOckery.
In the distance they could hear the
found Of hammering on the other side
i the wall Francis moved his head
n that direction.
i hear that they are preparing for
mother of your wonderful entertain
nents over there, he remarked.
ION Thursday" Sir Timothy assent
d. Il shall have something to say TO
OH about 1t later on"
Am I to take tthat 7 am likely TO
ecelve an invitation? Francis asked.
Il should think 1t possible" was the
aim reply. i
"What about Margaret?"
MY entertainment would not appeal !
her." Sir Timothy declared. sThe
omen whom have been in the hnhlf {
asking are not women OF Margaret's
'pe"
"And Lady Cynthia?" ?
Sir Timothy frowned slightly. {
Il find myself in some difficulty as $
CARDS Lady Cynthia" he admitted.
am the guardian of nobody's NOR h
5, nor am / the censor of their tastes, Is
t my entertainments are for men. b
lie women whom / have hitherto W
ked have been women In whom n
We taken no personal interest. They s
e necessary 10 form picturesque m
ckground for my rooms, In the same to
" that look to the gardeners to p'
Dply the floral decorations. Lady
nthfa's instincts, however, are DC
newhat adventurous. She would
freely be content to remain deco ca
lon"
The issuing OF your invitations" Ia
lncls remarked. Ifs of course m
tier which concerns nobody else
,ept yourself II you do decide to SC
or me with one, I shall be delight WI
to come, provided Margaret has no vi
ectIon." -
Such a reservation promises we'll ~
the future" Sir Timothy observed. ~
h gentle sarcasm. Here comes
rgaret. looking very well. am ~
d to see" W
largaret came forward to greet her -,
her before stepping into the car 10.
y exchanged only few sentences, ~
Francis, whose Interest in their
tions was almost abnormally 90,
n, fancled that her~ could detect. ..S =
Is Of some change In their de- -,
NOR towards one another. The
proprIety OF department which A.,
characterized her former attitude !.
ards her father. seemed to have =
n place to something more uncer- q
: to something less formal, some hoo
g which left room even for -
sure Of cordlallty. She looked at 40
differently. 1t was ms though 60
e evil thought which lived In her -
t concerning him had perlshed. ~,
iou are busy over there. father?p ~
az lrnA
n a way" be replied. "we are tha
'aring for some festivities on ana
rsday" 90
er face fell. r,vs
mother party7" asl
me more" he replied. "Perhaps Won
last-for the present. at any rate. II =
lie waited as though expecting him susI
xplain, He changed the subject to b
ever. adei
think you are wise to run up to YOU
j this morning" he said. glanelne 81
at the gray skies. "By-the-bye land
,u dine at Curzon street tonight frst