Belt Valley times., 1924-03-20

/ shapelessness and scantiness. She III
a cigarette and laid her hand upon Sir
TImothy's arm.
Come" she said. "rnust / remind
you Of your promise3 You are to
show me the stables at the Walled
House before II 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 fancy to see them now"
Sir Timothy looked back at the
table.
Margaret" he said. "wlll you look
after Ar. Ledsam for a little tlmef
You will excuse us. Ledsamf We
shall not be gone long"
They moved away together towards
the shrubbery and the door In the wall
behind. Francis resumed his seat.
Are you not also curious TO pene-
trate the mysteries behind the wall,
MFR. LedsamT' Margaret asked.
mot SO curious bur that would
much prefer to remain here" he an
swsred.
"With meY
"With YOU"
She knocked the ash from her Gig.
arctic. She was looking directly at
him, and he fancled that there was a
CLEAN OF curiosity in-her bpuutffui
eyes. 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 II lacked the daring OF Lady
Cynthia's, seemed TO rest about her
like a cloud OF blue-gray smoke.
What q curious meal 7" she muir
INJURED. Can you solve a puzzle for
me, Mr.. LedsamT
Il would do anything for you that
I could" he answered.
Tell me, then, why my father asked |
You here tonlght7 can understand |
his bringing you to the opera. that was
just whim Of the moment, but an in
vitation down here savors OF deIibera-
tion. StudIously polite though yon are
to one another, one 10 conscious all
the time Of the hostility beneath the
surface
Il think that so far as your father
is concerned, 1t Is part OF his peculiar
disposition" Francis replied. "You
remember he once said that ne was
tired Of entertaining his frlends--that |
there was more pleasure In having an
enemy at the board"
Are you an enemy. Mr. Ledsam7"
she asked. curiously.
He rose little abruptly TO his feet.
Ignoring her question. There were
servants lowering in the background.
'Will you walk with me In the gar
dens7" he begged. "Or may I take
you upon the riyer7"
She rose to her feet. For q moment
she seemed to hesitate.
"The river. think" she decided.
VIII you wait for three minutes while
get a wrap. You win find some punts
noored to the lnndlng-stage there In
he stream. like the very inrgest and
most comfortable"
Francis strolled TO the edge OF the
stream. and made HIS choice Uf punts.
soon servant appeared with bis arms
'ull OF cushions. and a moment or two
ateF, Margaret herself. wrapped In an
'rmIne cloak She smiled a little dep
ecatingly as she picked her way across
he lawn.
Don't laugh at me for being such
chilly mortal. please" she enjolned
And don't be afraid that am go
ng TO propose long expedition. I
rant to go to a little backwater In
he next stream"
She settled herself in the stern and 2
hey glided down the narrow thorough.
are. The rose bushes from the gar &
en- almost Tapped the water as they u
assed. Behind, the long low cottage, d
he deserted dinner table. the smooth u
lwn with its beds Of scarlet gerani- v
ms and dropping lilac shrubs In the
ackground. seemed like a scene from
ifryland. to attain a perfection Of
etaIl unreal. almost theatrical. Is
ITO the right when you reach the n
yer, please" she directed. you will "
nd there Is scarcely any current. We 81
lrn up the next stream" =