The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-07-24

L on 90 not Hnu III uIstasteiuI' ~
NO"
lie looked at her curlohsly. A rather
singular girl she seemed 10 him-and
singularly attractive. TOO.
II know something about your mis-
sion here" she said In freezing tones.
"Do youi"
"Yes, and do not approve Of it,
You do not approve Of IL! May !
ask why"
"It does not appeal to me. j have told
my father So"
MAY / ask what he saidT'
you know his kind heart"
Perhaps nobody knows IL better"
"Well, lie declined to take my ad'
vice"
(Which meansW ~ VI
"That you are 10 walt"
The young man looked thoughtful.
"Do you object to the scheme"
IL object to all such schemes"
"But there seems TO be lot Of money
in IT,"
81 believe" said Hester. sarcastically,
that that is a popularity Of all your
schemes" .-u,.np
The visitor slightly flushed.
IL will admit" he said, that ! have
been reasonably fortunate"
Hester stared at him. That flush
upon his cheek was actually blush OF
pride.
"And yet I beg OF you she said,
mot 10 work upon his feelings again.
1t distresses him to think of saying no
to you, and yet there must be a stop
TO this
The visitor slightly Strengthened up.
81 wonder what your father could have
said concerning mer he said. 1T
seems TO have greatly prejudiced you
Before Hester could speak again n
sudden interruption drove the repartec
from her lips. There was sharp
crash as Of some solid body falling
from height and striking on an equal
ly solid object. Hester sprang up and
turned toward the door Of the inner
apartment.
"Was il herc?" queried the visitor,
as he hurried forward and faced the
study door. "And may / have your
permission?" And without waiting for
an answer he quickly opened the door.
1t was q small room and its contents
were taken In at n glance. The chief
of these was the venerable stranger.
He was stretched back in the easy
chair with his feet on another chair,
sound asleep. And from his half-open
mouth came prolonged muttering.
He had eaten his biscuits and empticd
his tea cup. IL was the fall Of this
cup from the table to The floor that had
aroused Hester ana the young man.
But il did not arouse the sleeper.
For moment the two stared into the
room. and then Hester drew back and
motioned to the young man to close the
door. He latched IL softly and turned
TO Hester. There was question in his
glance.
"A friend of the family" said Hester
stifliy.
His face seems familiar" the young
man remarked. I'm sure / have seen
him before"
"Very likely" said Hester drily.
VERY likely. He has the reputation of
being generous"
The young man looked at her queeriy.
III l remember right" he said. "his
generosity had nothing to do with the
recall. | should like to
have this impression cleared away IL
am mistaken in the man"
Hester flared up. He certainly was
very bold and very inquisitive
IL can't see how il can concern you
in the least" she said. but the gentle
man in the study is Mr.. Barclay Hill.
of whom no doubt you have heard"
He made n queer gurgling noise in
his throat and suddenly turned and
looked out of the window. Hester
stared at him in some alarm.
1T is nothing" he quietly said rs he
turned and caught her look. Il choked
n llttlc--thats all"
Hester did not remove her eyes from
his flushed face. Her expression sud
denly softcned.
"Sit down" she said. land ! will
bring you glass Of water"
mo. no, don't bother"
"Perhaps-pcrhaps YOU are hungryT
Not yet. | don't expect TO be hun
cry before luncheon time"
Hester froze again at his impudcncc.
Whcreat he laughed until the tears
came in his eyes.
81 b-heg your pardon" he STAN
mered. Whenever ! choke that way
have to laugh" And he laughed again.
Then he Strengthened up. About this
man HIP he said. rs he SO very
muCh?"
She shuddered at his slang.
MIR. Barclay Hill is the legal adviser
of the great house of Barham X Col.
die. lie is one OF the leading men In
his profession, n gentleman OF whom
all men speak highly. We are proud
IL acknowledge that such n man is n
friend of the family"
She said this with whitening en-
phasis that should have had it's effect
on the improvident person before her.
But he only laughed again.
II wasn't much impressed by his
looks" he said.
He has fine face" said Hester
quickly. "A strong face. and a beauti.
fully poised head
1T struck me that the poise slantcd
his head little too sharply backward ''
said this incorrigible.
Hester frowned.
I'VE will drop the subject" she said.
please don't" said the incorrigihle.
II have never heard Barclay Hill dis.