Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-05-14
By
e. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright by Little, srown and comn,,v

we Know that he has wonderful
gymnasium there, but the only def
nlte rumor | have ever heard about
the place is that men fight there who
nave grudge against one another.
ana that they are not too particular
ABOUT the weight of the gloves. That
doesn't appeal to US, you know. Mar
garet, but it isn't criminal"
II that were all !" she murmured.
| dare say it is" he declared. Lon
don, as you know, is a hot-bed of Cos
SIP. Everything that goes on is ridic-
uiousiy exaggerated, and | think that
II rather appeals to your fathers Gu
rlous sense of humor to pose as the
aw-breaker."
She pressed his arm a little. The
day was overcast, a slight rain was
beginning to fall.
Francis she whispered, "we had
a perfect day here yesterday. Now
the sun has gone and l am shivery."
lie understood in a moment.
wen lunch at Ranelagh," he sug-
gested. 1T is almost on the way up.
Then we can see what the weather is
ike. If it is bad, we can dine in town
tonight and do theater."
! You are DEAR" she told him fer
vently. Il am going in to get ready"
Francis went round to the garage
for his car, and brought it to the front.
| Whle he was sitting there Sir Tim
othy came through the door in the
wall. He was smoking a cigar and he
was holding an umbrella to protect
MS white flannel suit He was as
usual wonderfully gfoomed and turned
out, but he walked as though he were
tlred, and his smile, as he greeted
Francis, lacked a little of it's usual
lighthearted mockery.
In the distance they could hear the
sound of hammering on the other side
OF the wall. Francis moved his head
In that direction.
i hear that they are preparing for
another of your wonderful entertain
ments over there" he remarked.
ION Thursday" Sir Timothy assent
ed. Il shall have something to say to
you about it later on"
| Am / to take it that am likely to
receive an invitation?" Francis asked.
i should think it possible" was the
calm reply.
"What about Margaret?"
My entertainment would not appeal
to her." Sir Timothy declared. "The
/ T
of asking are not women of Margaret's
type"
"And Lady Cynthia? ~
| Sir Timothy frowned slightly.
Il find myself in some difficulty as
regards Lady Cynthia" he admitted.
Il am the guardian of nobody's NOR
ais, nor am / the censor of their tastes,
but my entertainments are for men.
| The women whom | have hitherto
asked have been women in whom |
| have taken no personal interest. They
are necessary to form a picturesque
| background for my rooms, In the same
way that l look to the gardeners to
supply the floral decorations. Lady
Cynthia's instincts, however, are
| somewhat adventurous. She would
scarcely be content to remain a deco
ration"
"The issuing of your invitations"
Francis remarked SIS of course
matter which concerns nobody else
except yourself. If you do decide to
favor me with one, I shall be delight
ed to come, provided Margaret has no
objection"
"Such a reservation promises well
for the future Sir Timothy observed.
with gentle sarcasm. "Here comes
Margaret, looking very well, l am
glad to see"
Margaret came forward to greet her
father before stepping into the car.
They exchanged only few sentences,
but Francis, whose interest in their
relations was almost abnormally
keen, fancied that he could detect
signs of some change in their de-
meanor towards one another. The
cold propriety of department which
towards her father, seemed to have
given place to something more uncer-
tain, to something less formal, some
thing which left room even for a
measure of cordially. She looked at
him differently. It was as though
some evil thought which lived in her
heart concerning him had persisted.
"You are busy over there, father?"
she asked.
"In a way" he replied. 1--WE are
preparing for some festivities on
Thursday
Her face fell.
another party?"
zone more" he replied. Perhaps
the last-for the present, at any rate"
She waited as though expecting him
TO explain He changed the subject,
however.
Il think you are wise to run up to
town this morning" he said, glancing
up at the gray skies. "By-the-bye,
If you dine at Curzon street tonight,
do ask Hedges to serve you some of