Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-04-30

mn from her. In any case if
was 100 late. With a little sob of mas
sion his lips were pressed ta hers
Even as she closed her eyes. che scent
OF the lilies seemed to intdxicate him
lie was back in his place without
conscious movements Ills nuIses u,aro
qulVerlng, the passion singing in his
olood, III" 10y of her faint caress living
prouccS in his memory. 1t had been
the moment of his life, and vet even
now he felt sick at heart with fears
with the torment of her passiyeness
she had lain there in his arms. he had
felt the thrill of her body. some ouain+
inspiration had told him that she had
sought for joy in that moment and had
not wholly failed. Yet his anxiety was
tumultuous, overwhelming. Then she
spoke, and his heart leaped again. Her
voice was more natural. 1t was nor,
a voice which he had ever heard be-
fore.
Give me cigarette, please-and !
want to go back"
He leaned over her again. struck q
match with trembling fingers and gave
her the cigarette. She smiled at him
very family.
Please go back now" she begged
Smoke yourself, take me home SLOWLY
and say nothing
He obeyed, but his knees were shak-
ing when he stood up. Slowly, foot at
a time, they passed from the mesh of
the lilies out into the broad stream.
Almost as they did so, the yellow rim
OF the moon came up over the low hills.
AS they turned into their own stream,
the light was strong enough for him to
see her face. She lay there like
ghost, her eyes half closed, the only
touch of color in the shining strands
OF her beautiful hair. She reused her
self a little as they swung around. He
paused leaning upon the pole.
You are not angry?" he asked.
No, am not angry" she answered.
why should be? But I cannot talk
to you about it tonight"
They glided to the edge of the land
ing-stage. A servant appeared and Sc
cured the punt
us Sir Timothy back YETI" Margaret
inquired.
mot yet, madam"
She turned to Francis.
please go and have whisky and
soda in the smoking ROOM" she said,
pointing to the open French windows.
Il am going to my favorlte seat You
will find me just across the bridge,
there"
He hesitated, filled with passionate
disinclination to leave her side even
for a moment. She seemed to under
stand, but she pointed once more to the
room.
81 should like very much" she
added, ito be alone for five minutes.
If you will come and find me then
pleasew
Francis stepped through the French
windows into the smoking room,
where all the paraphernalia for salts
flying thirst were set out upon the
sideboard. He helped himself to
whisky and soda and drank it absently,
with his eyes fixed upon the clock. In
five minutes he stepped once more
back into the gardens, soft and brill
liant now in the moonlight. AS he did
so, he heard the click of the gate in
the wall, and footsteps. His host, with
Lady Cynthia upon his arm, came into
sight and crossed the lawn towards
him. Francis, filed though his mind
was with other thoughts, paused for a
moment and glanced towards them
curiously. Lady Cynthia seemed for
moment to have lost all her WEAKNESS.
Her eyes were very bright; she walked
with a new spring in her movements.
Even her voice, as she addressed Fran
els, seemed altered.
"Sir Timothy has been showing me
some of the wonders of his villa-do
you call it a villa or a palace?" she
asked.
at is certainly not a palace" Sir
Timothy protested, land fear that it
has scarcely the atmosphere of villa.
1t is an attempt to combine certain
ideas of my own with the requirements
of modern entertainment. Come and
have drink with us, Ledsam."
81 have just had one" Francis re-
piled. Mrs. Hilditch is in the rose
garden and l am on my way to join
her"
He passed on and the two moved
towards the open French windows. He
crossed the rustic bridge that led into
the flower garden, turned down the
pergola and came to sudden stand
still before the seat which Margaret
had indicated. 1t was empty, but in
the corner lay the long-stalked lily
which she had picked in the backwa-
ter. He stood there for moment,
tranSfxed There were other seats
and chairs in the garden, but he knew
before he started his search that it was
in vain. She had gone. The flower,
dropping a little now, though the stalk
was still wet with the moisture of the
river, seemed to him like her farewell.
Francis was surprised, when he de-
scended for breakfast the next morn