Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-05-08


retired prlze-fghter brought m,
home once from an Albert Hail dance.
How did he behave? Francis
asked.
He was wIstful but restrained
Lady Cynthia replied. quite the gen
tleman. In fact"
"You encourage me 10 hope for the
best" Sir Timothy said. rising 10 has
feet. "You wilt excuse me now7 l
have a few hDal preparations to
make"
Are we TO be allowed" Margaret
Inquired. ito come across the parkT"
you would not find II convenient"
her father assured her. "You had bet
ter order a car. say for ten o'clock.
Don't forget TO bring your cards Of
Invitation. and find me Immediately
you arrive. wish to direct your pro-
ceedlngs 10 some extent"
Lady Cynthia stroiIed across with
him to the postern-gate and stood by
his side after he had opened it. Sew
eral Of the animals. grazing in differ
ent parts OF the park. pricked up their
ears at the sound. An old mare came
hobbling towards him: a dea-bitten
gray came trottlng down the field. his
head in the air, neighing loudly.
you waste a great deal of tender
ness upon your animal friends, dear
host" she murmured.s
AT the entrance to the great gates
OF the Walled House, two men In liv-
cry we're standing. One Of them ex-
nmined with care the red cards Of
invitation. and as soon az he WIS sat
isfied the gates were opened by some
unseen agency. The moment the car
had passed through. they were closed
again.
Father seems thoroughly medieval
over this business" Margaret re-
marked, looking about her with inter
est. "What a quaint courtyard. too
1t really is quite Italian"
ut seems almost incredible that you
have never been here r. Lady Cynthia
exclaimed. Curiosity would have |
brought me If had had TO climb over
the VAIL"
1T does seem absurd in one way"
Margaret agreed. "but, as a matter of /
fact. my fathers attitude about the
place has always rather set me against
II. didn't feel that there was any /
pleasure TO he gained by coming here
WON'T tell you really what did think.
We must keep to our bargain. We
are not to anticipate"
AT the front entrance. under the COW
cred portico, the white tickets which
they had received in exchange for their
tickets Of invitation. were carefully
collected BY another man, who stopped
the car a few yards from the broad.
curving steps, After that. there was
no more suggestion OF inhospitallty
The front doors. which were Of enor-
nous size and height. seemed to have
been removed. and In the great domed
hall beyond Sir Timothy was already
receiving guests. Being without wraps.
the little party made an immediate en-
trance Sir Timothy. who was talking
TO one OF the best-known of the for
eign ambassadors. took a step forward
TO meet Them.
welcome" he said. "you. the most
unique party, at least. amongst my
guests PRINCE, may present you 10 |
my daughter. Mrs. Hllditchf Lady
Cynthia Milton and Mr.. Ledsam- you
know. believe"
Sir Timothy. later. In a moments I
respite from the indowing stream Of
guests. came once more across to
hem. Il
Il am going to leave you. my hon :
bred guests from the Sanctuary" he I
said. with a faint smile, ito your. 1
selves FOR a short time In the room
% your left. supper is being served.
want you 10 meet me In room which {
will show you. at a quarter to I
.welve." {
He led them down one OF the corri !
Tors which opened from the hall Be. /
ore the FIRST door on the right man, I
servant was standing as though on q
entry duty. Sir Timothy tapped the y
,anel Of the door with his forefnger.
This Is my sanctum." he announced. r
I allow no one In here without spe- :
ial permission. / find IL useful to
AVE a place 10 which one can come I
md rest quite quietly sometimes. (
here has no other duty ex- {
ept 70 guard the entrance. Williams,
ou will allow this gentleman and a
hese two ladies TO pass in at quar- t
err to twelve" c
The man looked at them searchingly. b
Certainly. sir" he said. mo one e
lse 2,
mo one. under any pretext." b
Sir Timothy hurried back to the han.
nd the others followed him In more
alsurely fashion. They were all three b
ull Of curiosity. h
" never dreamed, Margaret de- q
Jared. as she looked arcund her, that n
should ever ind myself inside this Al
ouse. Il has always seemed to me d
Ike one great bluebeard's chamber a
I ever my father spoke Of Il az all. II /
as as Of a place which he intended ii
, convert into a sort OF miniature