, 1924-04-23

'@t
with n word of apology, lit n cigarette.
Let us" he said, Consider the stu
alton. Margaret is my daughter. You
wish to marry her. Margaret is OF age
and has been married before. She is
Mt liberty, therefore, to max her own
choice. You agree with me so far?"
ENTIRELY" Francis nssented.
1T happens" Sir Timothy went on,
that disapprove of her choice. She
desires to marry n young man who be-
longs to a profession which l detest,
and whose efforts In life are directed
towards the determination of n class
for whom have every sympathy. To
me he represents The SNUG as agains,
the human, the artificially moral as
against the fre%ethinker. He Is also
my personal enemy. I am therefore
naturally DESTROYS that my daughter
should not marry this young man"
we will let 1t go at that" Francis
commented. but l should like to point
out to you that the %antagonism be-
tween us Is In no way personal. You
have declared yourself for forces with
which l am at enmity. like any other
decent-living citizen. Your declaration
might at any time be amended"
Sir Timothy bowed.
The situation is stated" he said. "I
will ask you this question as a matter
of form. Do you recognize my right to
forbid your marrlge with my daughter,
Mr.. Ledsam7"
Il most certainly do not" was the
forcible reply.
Have I any rights at all?" Sir Tim
othy asked. Margaret has lived under
my roof whenever It has suited her to
do so. Since she has taken up her
residence at Curzon street she has
been her own MISTRESS, her banking
% has known no limit whatso-
ever. l may be u person of evil dlspo-
sition, but l have shown no unkindness
to her"
ut Is quite true,' Margaret admit
ted. turning a little pale. "Since / have
been alone, you have been kindness It.
self"
h let me repeat my question:"
Sir Timothy went on. have l the right
to any consideration at all?"
YES" Francis replied. Short of
keeping us apart, you have the ordi-
nary rights of a parent"
Then l ask you to delay the an
ouncement Of your engagement, or
taking any further steps concerning 1t,
for fourteen days" Sir Timothy said.
II place no restrictions on your move
ments during that time. Such hospital.
ity as you. Mr.. Ledsam. care to accept
at my hands. is at your disposal. am
bohemian enough. indeed, to find moth
Ing to complain Of in such little cele-
brations as you are at present INDUCING
ln-most excellent pate. that. But
request that no announcement of your
engagement be made. or any further
arrangements made concerning 1t, for
fourteen days"
II am quite willing. father" Marga-
ret acquiesced.
s"And I, sir" Francis echoed.
I'm which case." Sir Timothy con
Guided. rising to his feet. lighting n
cigarette and taking up his hat and
gloves, Il shall go ~peaceably away.
You will admit. / trust" he added. with
that peculiar smile ut the corner of his
lips, that l have not in n way tried
to come the heavy father! I can even
command a certain amount of respect,
Margaret, for a young man who is able
to inaugurate his engagement by an I'M
promptu meal Of such perfection. l
wish you both good morning. Any in.
vitation which Margaret extends. Led
sam. please consider as confirmed by
me"
He closed the door softly. They
heard his footsteps descending the
stairs. Francis leaned once more over
Margaret. She seemed still dazed. con-
fused with new thoughts. She re-
sponded. however. readily to his touch.
yielded to his caress with an almost
pathetic eagerness.
Francis" she murmured, MS his
arms closed around her, 81 want to for
get"
There followed n brief period OF
time, the most wonderful of his life.
the happiest OF hers. They took nd-
vantnge of Sir Timothy's absolute H.
cense. and spent long days at the
Sanctuary. Ideal lovers days. with
their punt moored ut night nmongst
he lilies. where her kisses seemed to
come to him with m aroma and won-
der born on the spot. Then there came
n morning when he found n cloud on
her face. She was looking ut the
great wall, and away at the mInnret
beyond. They had heard from the
butler that Sir Timothy had spent the
night mt the villa. and that prepara-
tons were on hand for another OF his
wonderful parties. Francis. who wns
swift TO read her thoughts. led her
away into the rose garden where once
she had failed him.
You have been looking over the
wall. Margaret" he said reproach-
fully.
She looked at him with a little
twitch Mt the corners OF her lips.