Wichita eagle., 1889-12-01

raised false hopes in your breast or had I
pointed to suspicion that could not be
justified. Rest assured that everything
Is being done that can be done to I'M
cover the mystery"
"Ohp' said Annie, covered with con-
fusion and blushing very prettily, 81 had
no intention of complaining. Indeed we
are really too much obliged to you for
the trouble you have taken in our affairs
to criticise or to complain"
During this exchange Holbrook had
moved from his chair in the middle Of
the room, where he had been conversing
with Mrs. Templeton, and taken low,
easy one near the window where Annie
sat.
Mrs. Templeton had turned to the
table and had resumed the writing of a
letter she was engaged upon when Hol-
brook entered.
In answer to Armies reply to him he
said:
81 do not think, Miss Templeton, that
anything which might concern you OF
yours would be too much trouble for
me-"
The blood crept up into Armies cheeks
again, and bending over her work she
said nothing.
Holbrook himself had nothing to say,
and he sat for some time toying with
the end of the embroidery falling from
her knee Finally he said:
''Do you know that have experienced
great pleasure in my calls here-pleasure
of kind it has not been my lot to ex-
perience for several years."
Annie looked up wonderingly.
Il sincerely hope you do find pleasure
in your visits here, and it is pleasant to
hear you say SO, but do not quite I'M
derstand you"
"Why not?'
"Oh, your words seem to convey a
meaning they do not express clearly"
Perhaps they do. You know, of
course, that | am bachelor. Well, I
have, ever since I came to the city,
twelve years ago, lived in hotel 1t is
now eight years since my mother died,
and the home of my childhood, to which
from time to time returned, was broken
up. Since that time, this household has
been the only place l have visited where
| have been treated with that informal
ity / crave, and where the occupants
pursue their work as my mother used to
do. 1t is eight years and more since
| have been permitted by any woman to
sit SO near and play with her work as
do / eff no
side my mother"
Annie was provoked with herself as
she felt the bushes mantling her cheeks,
for she had noted the tone of tenderness
which underlay his words. To blush was
to assume that this tenderness was di-
rected toward herself, when his words
conveyed nothing of the sort. and when
without doubt only the recollections of
his mother and his home had been stirred
by entering their domestic circle. She
made an effort and replied:
sit is pleasure, then, at a very small
cost, l am sure, Mr.. Holbrook.
"A pleasure l duly app, eciate."
"Was your mother a widow?'
Eyes. With but two children, a sis
ter and myself. My sister is married
and lives abroad-her husband occupies
a diplomatic position"
ct is hard to lose ones home. 1t
must be. | do not think could content
myself to live for all time as we are
now. want home of my own, which
can deck and beautify my own way"
II think you, yourself, would beautify
any place however bare, and make it
home, Miss Templeton."
This was direct enough, and the blush
swept up again over her face. Hol-
brook did not wait for reply, but con-
tinued,
st is woman who makes the home.
Men may erect house, fill it with cost
ly furniture and beautiful works of art,
vet it is only an abiding place. Until
some woman graces it with her presence
and her life it does not become home"
Annie looked up archly and said:
IF you appreciate home so much,
Mr.. Holbrook, why do you not obtain
one for yourself?'
Holbrook looked at her steadily, and
with not even the suspicion of a smile on
his face, replied:
Sometimes the heaven we most de-
sire is not attainable. But l propose to
attain mine if can by earnest endeavor.
1t is only within short time that my
heaven has been shown me, and when
the time is meet I'll put my fortune to
the test"
Then without permitting reply he
quickly said:
Come, Miss Templeton, the day is
fine, the air good and you have been
much housed of late-come with me for
a short walk. I'll bring you back to your
mother in time for dinner"
Annie willingly acceded. and ran away
to prepare herself for the walk.
As she walked and chatted with him
freely and with more gayety than she
had ever shown him before, she was hap
pier than shehad been since her brothers
death. and she was surprised to find how
bright the day was and how joyous
time the autumn could be.
And Holbrook thought it rare day
one in thousand.
CHAPTER XIV.
HoLBRooK MAKES DISCOVERY.
NJ ~ ~ III Ia