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Show I A Captive at I $ Bay I t By DUFORD JENNE 1 i (Copyright) THE head caretaker of her father's four thousand acre country estate was ushered into the library. Phylls stared at him as he came in. One of his Irish eyes was black, and he looked a bit battered. "Why, Tim, you look somewhat the worse for wear !" she exclaimed. lie grunted. "We caught a chap going go-ing through the dell, and It took three of us to handle him. I've got blm locked up, and I thought you might tell us what to do with him," he said bluntly, : Phylls smiled. She knew her father had given orders that any trespasser on his grounds was to be handled "rough," but her curiosity was aroused. She made up her mind that she would like to see the man. 'A few minutes later she looked up from" her book. She saw standing beside be-side Tim a disreputable figure so far as torn clothes were concerned. "It must have been a battle royal," Phylls told herself. The captured man looked at her with cold eyes. He was slight In physique, but' she was enough of an outdoor, girl herself to know the power that might be bidden In the finely proportioned . frame. Then it dawned upon her that he was handsome. hand-some. She made up her mind that he was Interesting enough to help her-pass her-pass a few minutes. . ;: "Leave him with me,, Tim. I'll see If I can handle him," she suggested. Tim looked highly doubtful, but he went out, and she motioned the captive cap-tive to a chair. ... , lie sat down with the ease and grace of men whose muscles are under un-der full control. . ' . . "What do you mean by Invading grounds that are private?'.' he asked coldly. He looked at her with, his dark, direct gaze. "I had what I thought were good reasons, my lady, which I did not give. when, your roughnecks appeared, and which I" do" not care to give now." "Is that so?" she demanded, a bit nettled with the "my lady," and bis air of command. "It seems to be," he answered calmly. calm-ly. "I happen to be Mr. Wellington's daughter, and just now I am In authority author-ity here. Perhaps you don't know that our men are legal constables, and that you may laud in Jail for this I", she threatened. ' ne looked her over coolly. "You and your dad are samples of the kind of people I don't like" "You are frank I" she Interrupted. "I can be franker," he said mildly. "You buy three or four fine farms that were giving families a good living and then you turn them into a playground for you and your useless crowd." "We paid for them," she retorted feeling the crimson come to her cheeks. She saw ' his eyes change as " he watched her checks. But he went on "And then you close, a road 'that the people in the village have, been using for j'cars to get down to the. lake. to. fish. ' No wonder you have to keep three gunmen to protect your precious pre-cious acres!" he said with finality. "You are almost Insulting 1" she said angrily. "The truth Is never insulting." he replied mildly. "It was my intention to release you, but I think I'll keep you until my father fa-ther arrives," she announced and al the same time heard some inner whisper, whis-per, "You want to keep him." "Suit yourself, princess," he said "I'll have a chance to tell your father what I think of him." "Just who are you?" she demanded suddenly. She saw hfm start. "Are you Interested Inter-ested In me?" he asked, amused. She blushed In spite of herself. "You can be hateful and and I do rather want to be nice to you." The door opened, and a tall man of aristocratic bearing entered. He stared at them, und Phylls promptly ex plained the situation. Mr. Wellington looked uncomfortable. He asked for the captured man's name, and got li "Norman Ilazen." The older man started. "Are you my old friend 131 1 1 Hazen's son?" The other smiled. "Yes. he's up here on a business deal and Is planning to buy some property on the lake. I canu-to canu-to the village last night, took 11 walk and n young setter I have got onto your grounds and I had something of a mlx-up with jour guards." Wellington nodded. "Tim thinks you are some prizefighter. I'm sorry about it guess I bolter ease up on keeping people out," "I favor it. I know the people In the village are sore. I base been ad vlsln Miss Wellington on Hint." "Well. I think you are right. I wish you would come back to dinner. I'll ditvp you down to the village." Mr Wellington said. "1 waul to make som amends." "I Ibink I'll drive him down. Dad If In- docMi'i object." Phylis an iioimccd "1 have been pretty meni' ;o hlni " The dark eyes looked Info hers, and ild very plainly: "1 like you. and I .hlni; I'm' goin to like ou more an- -more J" And her brown pyos said verj plainly: "I know I like you and I'n uoin to like you more and more!" The oldor man, not being able t y. , iiiPjwilugs In I he eyes of youil Merely sai l : "All right, then, Tot, but be sure t brlna him baokr. |