, 1924-04-02

PAAhpNiNoohSSc Nv ohS -
a cigarette and laid her hand upon Sir
Timothy's arm.
Come" she said. "inust I remind
you Of your promisei You are to
show me the stables at the Walled
House before it is dark"
"YOu would see them better in the
morning." he reminded her, rising
with some reluctance to his feet.
Perhaps" she answered. but /
have a fancy TO see them now"
Sir Timothy looked bach ut the
table.
Margaret" he said, twill you look
after Mr.. Ledsam for a little time'
You will excuse us. Ledsam? We
shall not be gone long"
They moved away together towards
the ~shrubbery n the door in the wall
behind. Francis resumed his seat.
Are you not also curious to pene-
trate the mysteries behind the wall.
Mr.. Ledsam?' Margaret asked.
Not so curious bur that I would
much prefer to remain here" hi an.
swered.
with me?"
with you"
She knocked the ash from her Gig
arctic. She was looking directly at
him. Inc he fancied that there was a
CLEAN of curiosity in her beautiful
yes. There was certainly a little
more abandon about her attitude. She
was leaning back in a corner of her
high-backed chair. and her gown. al
though it lacked the daring Of Lady
Cynthia's, seemed to rest about her
like a cloud of blue-gray smoke.
"What a curious meall !" she mur-
INJURED. "Can you solve a puzzle for
me. Mr.. Ledsam?"
Il would do anything for you that
/ could" he answered.
Tell me. then. why my father asked
o here tonight? I can understand
his bringing you to the opera. that was
just a within of the moment. but an in
vitation down here savOrs of delibera.
ton. S~tudiously polite though yo,. are
to one another. n IL conscious all
the time of the hostility beneath the
surface"
Il think that so far as your father
Is concerned. II Is part OF his peculiar
disposition" Francis replied. "You
remember he once said that he was
tired OF entertaining his friends-that
there was more pleasure In having an
enemy at the board"
Are you an enemy. Mr.. Lensam? ?"
she asked. curiously.
He rose II little abruptly to his feet, |
Ignoring her question. There were
servants lowering in the background. |
"Wnl you walk with me in the gar
dens?' he begged. .Or NAV I take
you upon the river?''
She rose TO her feet. For a moment
she seemed TO hesitate.
THE river. I think" she decided.
Wi you wait for three minutes while |
! get a wrap. You will find some punts
moored to the landing-stage Their. in
the stream. ! like the very largest and
most comfortable"
Francis strolled to the edge OF the
stream. and made his choice " punts. |
Soon a servant appeared with his arms
full Of cushions. and a moment or TWO
later. Margaret herself. wrapped in an
ermine cloak. She smiled a little dep.
recatingly as she picked her way across
tHt iuWn. |
Don't laugh at me for being such
a chilly mortal. please" she enjolned.
And don't be afraid that I am 60
ing to propose a long expedition. II
want IN 20 to q little backwater In
the next stream"
She settled herself in the stern and
they glided down the narrow thorough.
fare. The rose bushes from the gar.
den almost Tapped the water as they |
passed. Behind. the long low cottage
the deserted dinner table, the smooth
lawn with It's beds Of scnrlet gernnI.
utns and dropping lilac shrubs In the
background. seemed like a scene from
maryland. TO attain a perfection of
detail unreal. almost theatrical.
i the right when you reach the
river. please" she directed. You win
In there Is scarcely any current. We
turn I'M tho nexf sfraau |