The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-05-02
CHAPTER xIV.-contlnued.

Surely dinner can't be served al
ready!" she exclaimed. Come in"
Very much to their surprise, 1t was
Sir Timothy himself who entered. He
was in evening dress and wearing
several orders, one Of which Francis
noted with surprise.
my apologies" he said. Hedges
told me that there were cocktails
here, and as I am on my way to a
rather weary dinner, thought I might
infiict myself upon you for mo-
ment"
Margaret rose at once to her feet.
II am shocking hostess" she de-
clared. Hedges brought the things
In twenty minutes ago."
She took up the silver receptacle,
shook it vigorously and filled three
glasses. Sir Timothy accepted his and
bowed to them both.
my best Wishes" he said. Real
Iy, when one comes to think Of it.,
however much it may be against my
inclinatinns scarcely see how shall
be able to withhold my consent. /
believe that you both have at heart
the fair for domesticity. This little
picture, and the thought Of your tete-
a-tete dinner, almost touches me-"
Don't make fun Of US, father"
Margaret begged. "Tell US where you
are going in all that splendor?"
Cts, oh hfc Shn11dnre
"A month or so ago." he explained,
81 was chosen to induct scion of
royalty into the understanding of
fighting as it is INDUCED in at the Ma
tional Sporting club. This, suppose,
is my reward-an invitation to some
thing in the nature of state dinner,
which, to tell you the truth, had for
gotten until my secretary pointed it
put to me this afternoon. 1 have
grave fears Of being bored or Of mis-
behaving myself. have, as Ledsam
here knows, distressing habit of
truthfulness, especially to new ac-
quaintances. However, we must hope
for the best. By-the-bye. Ledsam, in
case you should have forgotten, 1 have
spoken to Hedges about the 80
Cliquot."
"Shall we see you here later?" Mar
garet asked, after Francis had MUIR
INJURED his thanks.
II shall probably return direct to
Hatch End" Sir Timothy replied.
<'There are various little matters down
there which are interesting me just
Misrepresentation for my party. Au
revoir! A delicious cocktail, but am
inclined to resent the Angostura."
He sauntered out, after glance at
the clock. They heard his footsteps
as he descended the stairs.
"Tell me, what manner of a man is
your father?" Francis asked impul-
sively.
II am his daughter and / do not
know" Margaret answered. Before
he came, was going to speak to you
of strange misunderstanding which
has existed between us and which has
just been removed. Now l have a
fancy to leave it until later. You will
not mind?'
"When you choose" Francis assent
ed. Nothing will make any differ
ence. We are past the days when IA
Tiers count seriously IN the things
that exist between two people like
you and me, who have felt life. What
ever your father may be. whatever he
may turn out to be, you are the wom-
an I love-you are the woman who is
going to be my Wife"
She leaned towards him for a mo-
ment.
"You have an amazing gift" she
whispered, "of saying just the thing
one loves to hear In the way that con-
vinces"
Dinner was served to them in the
smaller of the two dining-rooms, an
exquisite meal, made more wonderful
still by the wine, which Hedges him
self dispensed with jealous care. The
presence Of servants, with Its restrain
ing influence upon conversation, was
not altogether unwelcOme to Francis.
He and Margaret had had so little OPP
portunity for general conversation
that to discuss other than personal
subjects In this pleasant, leisurely
way had it's charm. They spoke of
music, Of which she knew far more
than he; Of foreign travel, where they
met on common ground. for each had
only the tourists knowledge of Eu-
rope, and each was anxious for more
Individual acquaintance with it. She
had tastes in books which delighted
him, knowledge of games which
promised common resource. 1t was
only whilst they were talking that he
realized with a shock how young she
was, how few the years that lay be-
tween her serene school days and the
tempestuous years of her married life.
Her school days in Naples were most
redolent Of delightful memories. She
broke off once or twice into the lam
guage, and he listened with delight to
her soft accent. Finally the time
came when dessert was set upon the
table.
II have ordered coffee up in the lit