Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-02-14

/ case, my presence here proves how
well 1t was done. / wish to present
you to my wife. who shares my graft
tude."
Francis bowed to the woman. who
now, at her husbands words. raised
her eyes. For the FIRST time he saw
her smile. II seemed to him that the
effort made her less beautiful.
"Your pleading was very wonderful
Mr. Ledsam." she said. a very subtle
note Of mockery family apparent In
her tone. "We poor mortals find II
difficult to understand that with you
all that show OF passionate earnest
ness is merely-what did you call II
Ia chapter In your days work7 1t is
a great gift to be able to argue from
the brain and plead as though from
the heart"
"We will not detain Mr.. Ledsam."
Oliver Hlldltch interposed. little
hastily. HE perhaps does not care
to be addressed In public by client
who still carries with him the atmos-
phere Of the prison My wife and
wondered. Mr.. Ledsam, whether you
would be good enough to dine with
us one night. / think I could interest
you by telling You more about my case
than you know at present. and II
would give us a further opportunity,
and more seemly one, for expressing
our gratitude"
Francis had. recovered himself by
this time. He knew very we'll that
the Idea OF that dinner would be hor-
rible to him. He also knew that he
would willingly cancel every engage
ment he had rather than miss It.
"You are very kind" he murmured.
Are we fortunate enough TO find
you dIsengaged" Hilditch suggested,
tomorrow EVENING""
n am quite Free" was the ready
response.
THAT suits you. Margaret" Hilditch
asked. turning courteously to his wife.
For a single moment her0eyes were
fixed upon those Of her prospective
guest. He read their message which
pleaded for his refusal. and he denied
II.
Tomorrow evening will suit me as
well as any other" she acqujesced,
after brief pause.
AT eight o'clock, then-number 10
b, Hin Street. HIlditch concluded.
Francis bowed and turned away
with a murmured word OF polite as
sent. Outside, he found wIImore deep
in the discussion of the merits Of va
rious old brandIes with an interested
maitre d'hotel.
ANY choice. Francis7" his host In
Qnired.
None whatever" was the prompt
reply. only, for Gods sake. give me
Il double one quickly"
The two men were on the point Of
departure when Oliver HlldItch and
his wife left the restaurant. AS
though conscious that they had become
the subject Of discussion, as indeed
was the case, thanks to the busy
of the various walters. they
passed without lingering through the
lounge into the entrance hall, where
Francis and Andrew wIlmore were al
ready waiting for taxicab. Almost
as they appeared, new arrival was +
ushered through the main entrance,
by porters carrying luggage.
He brushed past Francis so closely
that the latter looked into his face
half attracted and half repealed by
the waxen-like complexion, the pierre
Ing eyes, and the dignified carriage Of
the man whose arrival seemed to be
creating some stir III the hotel. A re-
reption clerk and a deputy manager
=hastenee= forward sTslHe
newcomer waved them back for a
Bareheaded. he had taken
Margaret HildItch's hands in his and
.alsed them to his lips.
Il came as quickly as I could" he
Iaid. There was the usual delay, OF
course, at Marseilles, and the trains
IN were terrible. So all has ended
veil"
Oliver HIlditch, standing by, re Z
NAMED speeches.. It seemed for a 6
moment as though his self-control
we're subjected to a, severe strain. I
Il had the good fortune" he inter- {
losed, in a low tone, ito be wonder {
uIIy defended. Mr.. Ledsam here. {
He glanced around. Francis, with 4
ONE idea Of what was coming. obeyed 9
n imaginary summons from the head q
orter, touched Andrew WiImore upon D
he shoulder, and FASTENED without a q
glance through the swing .
oors. Wilmore turned up his coat a
oIlar and looked doubtfuIly up at q
be rain o
Z say. old chap" he protested. "you 4
ont really mean to waIkg"
Francis thrust his hand through his 4
lends arm and wheeled him round e
ito Davis street. .
II don't care what the mischief we 81
0. Andrew" he connded, but couldn't y
ou see what was going to happen7 o.
liver HIiditch was going TO introduce p
e as HIS preserver to the man who .
I'd just arrived" r
Are you afflicted with modesty. all Il