The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-02-21

waiting in the parlor. The girls EN-
braced cordially.
Something sent me here, Agnes
said Helen. Goodness knows I didn't
want to come! for there was Hal How
ard just ready to pop the question to
me, and Sam Jenkins wanting to aW-
FULLY and | hadn't my pink Thibit dress
half iounced and papa couldn't very
well spare me, but l had to come! Lett
tia was cross. Just between You and me
she's half in love with Hal Howard her.
self, and he's got the sweetest NOUS
tache! And how do you do, dear? and
how did you get through that awful
journey?
Il am very we'll, and 1 was in time"
returned Agnes. Come into the sitting
room now, and let me present you TO
the family"
Are there any gentlemen"
None except my brother"
Helen made a comical wry face.
Then l needn't brush my hair. nor
put on any Of my sweet things, nor any
OF my nice little smiles, need 1? Wom-
en- never notice such trifles. and as for
old married ~men-bah!'
Agnes conducted her into the sitting
room. Imogene was there with Mrs.
Trenholme. She did not look up as they
entered. She seemed absorbed in
thought. She sat silent a great deal
now. Her white hands were crossed On
her zap, her great eyes fixed on the
snow-covered landscape without. She
was dressed in heavy black silk, and
wore no ornaments. The elder Mrs.
Trenholme kissed the young guest, and
babe her welcome. Then Agnes led her
UP to Imogene and named them to each
other.
1t was a decided case of mutual an
tagonism. Both were repealed strongly.
though both refused to let it be known
by word or gesture. Their hands met.
but the touch was like ice and snow.
The moment Helen and Agnes were
alone the former said:
who is that woman?"
My mother, and"
Il mean the one with the eyes"
she is my brothers wife,"
Does he love herr"
He married her." replied Agnes, a
little proudly. Men do not usually
marry women for whom they do not
care"
30, | don't know about that,' said
Helen, grayeiy. Il think they do. Men
are n%uisances. Did you know it, dear?
But then they are nice to help you out
OF carriages and put on your shawl and
pick up your scissors, and spool cotton,
when you drop them on purpose. Some
times [ think l wish there hadn't been
any men, but then when | want to talk
nonsense to somebody, and have N
body to tell me how pretty 1 am, I'm
right glad there was a masculine gen
in Murray's grammar. Where was
that queenly Imogene when your broth
er's first love was murdered?"
"She was here. She was to have been !
one of the bridesmaids"
All! What a delightful tea rose you
have" she ratified on; and looking at
her gay, careless face, ar Indifferent OBJ
oSi y "ouiu iIoI nave USlltfSu luGI SIG
had a serious thought in her life.
Helen had not been long at the Rock
before she got a hint of the haunted
chamber and she at once made friends
with the servant, and obtained the
whole story. Instantly she made a re-
solve. She meant to sleep in that room,
and fathom the mystery. She was a girl
of strong nerve and undaunted cour-
age, and not by any mean inclined to
During the day she made
the chamber a visit without the knowl-
edge of any of the household.
1t was a large lofty room, with white
ceilings and paper hangings of a pale
color and white. It had been sump-
tously furnished, but now the dust lay
thick and dark over everything. The
great windows were huns with cob
and the closed blinds gave ad-
mittance to no ray of sunshine. There
the bed, snowy-curtained, where
she had last slept. By Ralph's orders it
had remained undisturbed ever since.