Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-04-03

AROUND from the sidaboard where b,
was busy mixing cocktails
THANK heavens for that touch o.
humanity r. he exclaimed. "A woman
Who can bother about her nalr whef
she takes her hat OF. is never pas
praying for. Please drink this
She obeyed He TOOK the empty
glass away from her. Then he cam.
over to the hearthrug by her side.
do you know that kissed you last
.hght?" he reminded her.
Il do" she answered. THAT IL why
have just paid eighty-four pounds
for a passage to Buenos Aires"
Il should have enjoyed the trip" he
sald. "Stlll. I'm glad haven't to so.
do you really mean that you would
have come after me7" she asked curl
ouSIy
"Of course should" he assured
her. Believe me. there isn't such an
obstinate person In the world as the
man Of early mfddle-age who suddenly
discovers the woman he means to
marry"
But you can't marry me" she pro
tested.
why not7" he asked.
II ecause- WIS Oliver Hifdfrcn'S
wife, for one thing"
Look here" he said, III You had
-heen Beeizebub,s wife, II wouldn't
make the least difference to me You
haven't given me much Of chance to
tell you so yet. Margaret, but love
you"
She sat q little forward in her chair.
her eyes were fixed upon his wonder
ineiy.
.IeBAt how can your" she exclaimed.
,YoI know nothing OF me except my
associations. and they have been nor
ribIe. What Is there to love In me? !
am a frozen-up woman. Everything
Is dead here" she went on. clasplng
her hand to her heart. II have no
sentiment, no passion. nothing but an
animal desire to live my life luxuri-
ously and quickly"
lie smiled confidently. Then, with
very little warning, he sank on one
knee, drew her face TO his, kissed her
Ups and then her eyes.
Are you so sure OF all these things,
ne whispered. "Don't you
think II is. perhaps. because there has
been no one 10 care for you as ] do
as shalI--to the end Of my days7
The lily you left on your chair last
night was like you-fair and stately
and beautiful, but little bruised. You
viii come back TO the world. My love
will bring you. My care. Believe it.
pleasel"
Then he saw the first signs Of
change In her face. There was the
iaintest shade Of almost shell-like
pink underneath the creamy-White OF
her cheeks. Her lips were trembling
little. her eyes we're misty. With a
sudden passionate impulse, her arms
we're around his neck. her lips sought
his Of their own accord.
"Let me forget" she sobbed. kiss
ne let me forgeti !"
Francis servant was both heavy
looted and discreet. When he entered
he room with tray, his master was
standing at the sldeboard,
"pve done the best could, sir" he
announced little apologetically.
shall I lay the cloth2"
eLeave everything on the tray,
Francis directed, 1--WE will
lelp ourselves. In an hours time
ring coffee"
The man glanced around the room.
'sThere are glasses on the sldeboard.
Iir. and the corkscrew Is here. think
iou will have everything you want"
He departed. closing the door be
lind him. Francis held out his hands
o Margaret. She rose slowly to her
eet, looked In the glass helplessly and
hen back at him. She was very beau
iful but little dazed.
Are we going TO have luncheOnT"
he asked.
"Of course" he answered. did you
hink meant to starve your"
He picked up the long envelope
which she had dropped upon the car
,et. and threw II onto the sofa. Then
Ie drew up two chairs TO the table.
md opened a small bottle Of cham
lagne.
II hope you won't mind a picnic"
e said. Really, Brooks hasn't done
o badly-pate de foie gras. hot toast
nd Devonshire butter. Let me spread
ome for you. A cold chicken after
ward, and some Strawberries. Please
e hungry, Margaret"
She laughed at him. II occurred 20
i'm suddenly. with little pang. that
e had never heard her laugh before.
I was like music.
..Im too happy" she murmured.
aBeIEeve me, ne assured her, as he
uttered piece OF toast. happiness
nd hunger might well be twins, They
o so well together Misery can take
way ones appetite. Happiness, when
ne gets over the galpiness Of 4. n
he best tonic 10 the world And
ever saw anyone. dear. with whom
!. ,.,,lnnea agreed 80 we'll he added,