Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-04-10

alton. Margaret is my daughter YOl
H wish to marry her. Margaret Is OF az,
II and has been married before. She &.
II at liberty, therefore. to make her own
II choice. You agree with me so far7"
II Entirely Francis assented.
II 1T happens" Sir Timothy went on,
that l disapprove OF her choice She
desires TO marry young man who be
longs to a profession which / detest.
and whose efforts In life are directed
towards the determination Of a class
for whom ! have every sympathy. To
me he represents the SNUG as against
the human, the artiaclally moral as
against the freethlnker He is also
my personal enemy. / am therefore
naturally DESTROYS that my daughter
should not marry this young man."
we Will let II go at that" Francis
commented, "but / should like TO point
out to you that the antagonlsm be-
tween us Is in no way personal You
have declared yourself for forces with
which am at enmlty. like any other
-decent-lIving citizen. Your declaration
might at any time be amended"
Sir Timothy bowed.
THE situation is stated he said 1T
Will ask y0u this question as a matter
Of form. Do you recognize my right to
forbid gelsE EaarFlge With my daughter, |
Mr. Ledsam7"
II most certainly do not" was the
forcible reply.
HIVE / any rights at aIl?" Sir Tim
Othy asked. Margaret has lived under
my roof whenever II has suited her to
do so. Since she has taken up her
residence at CurzOn street she has
been her own mistress. her banking
account has known no limit whatsO-
ever. ] may be person of evil dispo-
sltlon, but have shown no unklndness
to her"
is quite true,' Margaret admit
ted, turning a little pale. "Snce have
been alone. you have been kindness IT.
self"
"Then let me repeat my question"
Sir Timothy went on. have / the right
to any consideration at all7"
YES" Francis replied "ShOrt OF {
keeping us apart, you have the ordl-
nary rights Of parent"
Then I ask you TO delay the an I
of your engagement, or
taking any further steps concerning It,
for fourteen days" Sir Timothy said. I
Il place no restrictions on your move
ments during that time. Such hospital
Ity as you. Mr.. Ledsam. care TO accept
1t my hands. Is at your disposal / am r
enough, indeed, to find moth ''
ng TO complain OF in such little cele- a
iratlOns as you are at present lndulglng b
n-most excellent pate, that Bur T
equest that no announcement Of your al
be made, or any further h
arrangements made concerning H. Il for III
days" h,
Il am quite willing. father" Marga- W
ct acquiesced. 8,
And /, SIR" Francis echoed. ~c
In which case" Sir Timothy con- So
luded, rising to his feet, lighting n SC
igarette and taking up his hat and ra
loves, Il shall 80 peaceably away
on Will admit, trust" he added, with r,
lat peculiar smile at the corner Of his m
ps, that I have not in any way tried ax
, come the heavy father7 can even ~
certain amount of respect, al
argnret, for young man who Is able oh
inaugurate his engagement by an Inn
'omptu meal Of such perfection. o.
ish you both good morning. Any In. -,
tatlon which Margaret extends, Led ~.
m, please consider as confirmed by -
e. s''
He closed the door softly. They =.
ard his footsteps descending the . "a
airs. Francis leaned once more over -
nrgaret. She seemed stlll dazed. con- ou
sed with new thoughts. She re- ,e'
onded, however, readily to his touch. He'
elded to his caress with an almost sly
thetlc eagerness. me
Francis" she murmured. as his SOi
ms closed around her, Il want to for ia'
t." TOW
There followed brief period OF CAV
ne, the most wonderful of his life. tal
e happiest OF hers They took adj I'M
ntage Of Sir Timothy's absolute H. me
lse, and spent long days at the MN
ideal lovers days, with son
ut punt mOOEeu at night amongst -
. lilies, where her kisses seemed to
ne to him with an aroma and won she
: born on the spot. Then there came g
when he found a cloud on pre-
: face. She was looking at the Thu
at wall and away at the mInnret I
'ond They had heard from the -"
Ter that Sir Timothy had spent the g"
ut at the villa. and that prepare. the
rs we're on hand for another Of his S
nderful parties. Francis. who was to
IT to read her thoughts, led her how
ny into the rose garden where once =
had failed him. tow
You have been looking over the up
Il, Margaret" he said reproach. II J
p. do
The looked at him with little the
tch at the corners OF her lips as
Francis, DEAR" she confessed, II It q
afraid You-afe rirht panno, n