, 1924-04-23
BY
E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
copyrish, BY Little. brown and comn.n,

We know that he has a wonderful
gymnasium there, but the only def
mite rumOr l have ever heard about
the place is that men fight there who
have n grudge against one another.
II that they r not too particular
about the weight of the gloves. That
doesn't appeal to us. you know. Mar
garet. but 1t isn't criminal"
IF that were all I" she murmured.
Il dare say 1t is." he declared. Lon
don. as you know. is a hot-bed of gos
sip. Everything that goes on Is ride
ulously exaggerated.-and L think that
1t rather appeals to your fathers Gu
Hous sense of humor to pose us the
law-breaker."
She pressed his arm a little. The
cay was overcast, a slight rain was
beginning to fall.
"Francis." she whispered. 1--WE had
a perfect day here yesterday. Now
the sun has gone and I am shlvery."
He understood in a moment.
well lunch at Ranelagh," he sug-
gested. ut Is almost on the way up.
Then we can see what the weather is
like. II 1t Is bad, we can dine in town
tonight and do a theater."
you are a dear" she told him fer
vently. Il am going in to get ready"
Francis went round to the garage
for his car, and brought 1t to the front.
While 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
bis white flannel suit. He was as
usual wonderfully groomed and turned
Out, but he walked as though he we're
tired, and his smile, as he greeted
Francis, lacked a little of its usual
lighthearted mockery.
In the distance they could hear the
sound OF hammering on the other side
or the wall. Francis moved his head
In that direction.
Il hear that they r 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 upOut IL lhteT on.
Am I to take 1t that I am likely to
receive an invitation 2" Francis asked.
II should think 1t possible" was the
calm reply.
what about Margnret?"
my entertainment would not appeal
to her." Sir Timothy declared. "The
women whom l have been In the habit
Of asking are not women of Margaret's
type"
And Lady Cynthia? ?"
Sir Timothy frowned slightly.
II 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.
women whom I 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 ! look to the gardeners to
supply the floral decorations. Lady
Cynthla'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 a
matter which concerns nobody else
except yourself. If you do decide to
favor me with one. I shall be delight
to come. provided Margaret has no
objection"
"Such n reservation promises well
for the future Sir Timothy observed.
gentle Here m
Margaret. looking very well. l am
glad to see."
Margaret came forward to greet her
father before stepping into the car.
They exchanged only a few sentences,
but Francis. whose interest In their
was almost abnormally
keen, fancied that he could detect
Of some change in their de-
meanor towards one another. The
cold proprlety OF department which
had characterized her former attitude
her father. seemed to have
given place ito something more uncer-
to something less formal. mi
thing which left room even for N
measure Of cordlality. She looked at
him differently. II was MS though
evil thought which lived In her
heart concerning him had persisted.
"You nre busy over there. fatherY'
she asked.
"1n n way" he replied. "we are
preparing for some festivities on
Thursday"
Her face fell.
Another party7"
"One more" he replied. "Perhnps
last-for the present. ut any rnte."
She waited us though expecting him
70 explain. He changed the subject.
however.
Il think you are wise to run up TO
this morning." he said. glnncIng
IN nj thu prnv akI.a sn- " |