The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-26

maine, about whom he spoke so mysteri-
ously was beyond reach of accusation, of
| SANDER, of calumny. The weapon Har-
grave Denton was forging against her was
| powerless.
| But Frank Hollis question had to be an
swered, and she hesitated what to say.
She had often wondered how much Frank
had heard of the conversation between
her and Hargrave, especially If the last
offensive words had reached his ears.
| You will be returning to work at the
National gallery, I suppose?" she said.
abruptly changing the subject.
| II think not
"Ah, forgot OF course, you have 70
longer need to slave at copying other mems
works." she went ON in an embarrassed
way. GEts
! "Oh, it isn't that. There's always some
thing to be learnt in studying the methods
of the old masters. I haven't been to the
gallery since June last. The business
which took me there is finished"
| Y GU speak of it as If you regretted It,"
said she, quickly.
Il do very much. Still. it will always
be a pleasant remembrance"
Again she changed the conversation alb
ruptly.
Il hope the terrible events into which
you were unsuspectingly dragged will not
cause you any loss" said she.
| Il don't why it should
THAT commission. for instance, which
you had to copy-ny fathers Gains
| borough" she went on, hesitatingly-
docs it still hold good?'
I His eyes frightened. 1T should think
so. have not yet been to the man who
wants the copy. There was no time limit.
The first question to be settled was per-
mission to copy, and that, you know,
have not got"
He looked eagerly at her face, but she
avoided his eyes. He wondered what was
in her mind.
THE picture is mine now, suppose, and
1t would be necessary to ask my consent.
l have BEEN thinking it might be some
compensation for the trouble you have
been put to and the anxiety and distress
of mind you have suffered, If I gave you
that consent said she, slowly.
DO you really mean it," he cried, with
JOY in his voice.
Certainly. You will have the house
practically to yourself. I intend to leave
the housekeeper, Mrs. jackson in charge,
and she will have instructions to look after
you. There may be some other pictures to
interest you. My poor father. had a fancy
for tracing and buying back all the art
heirlooms of his ancestors. The Tremaines
were all more or less artistic, even my
great grandfather Godfrey, whose por-
trait you want to copy, and who has the
credit of having scattered the collection.
He gambled them all away" = 80
Frank Holt thanked her warmly. He
longed to ask her what her plans were,
but. OF course, he could not. One thing,
however, seemed pretty certain from her
Words--she was not going to stay at ire
maine court Well. this was not wonder
full; its melancholy associations must be
too terrible for the desolate girl. -
| Mrs. Holt came in at that moment and
looked at Eleanor in ANA cement. Of course
she knew her, having seen her more than
once at the magisterial examinations and
heard her give evidence, but they had
never spoken Frank quickly introduced
his mother, tho an Introduction was
scarcely needed for Eleanor at once held
out her hand, and there seemed to be some
intangible magnetism between the two
women which drew them together.
] Mrs. holt WaSga tall elegant, soft eyed
woman, with an oval face and sensitive,
i mobile lips She must have been a re-
markedly handsome woman when young,
and even now had not lost her good looks
To the end Of her days she would retain
the sweet expression which was her great
, charm. I'D" En- T. .t."" - .".
1t was more than curiosity which in
duced Eleanor to gaze earnestly into the
older woman's eyes. Since the tragedy
which had cut off her father so mysteri-
7 ously she had felt a sense Of solitude,
. which day after day was becoming more
intolerable. " -. ...-..
OF society acquaintance, she had p1en-
| ty, and the letters Of coincidence she had
I received could be measured by the yard;
r but there was no one in whom she could
t confide. The horrible nature of her
} fathers death somehow raised a barrier
between her and those who could had
t they so pleased, have lightened her soil
fairness and given her counsel. ~. She
t would have been thankful If some of her
! girl friends had offered to stay with her
3 at Tremaine Court but they all shrank
= | q If SI1o1, ov1n -.
> and tho they wrote. not one visited her
She read In Mrs. Hollis gray eyes tend
/ erness and sympathy, and her heart went
j, out to her. She longed to ask her tic
9 come with her son and make Tremaine
Court their home while he was engaged
h in copying the Gainsborough, but she hest
T tated strange sensation of diffdence
e seized her and she stopped the words or
q her lips.
l.. By tacit agreement the direct subject
OF the murder-the mystery surrounding
r 1t, the singular manner in which Frank
9 Holt had been drawn into twas avoided
Il by all three. When Eleanor had re.
u iterated her entire belief In Franks In.
- nocence that she never supposed Mis-:
Q Tremaine had ever thought otherwise
little more on the matter was said. AL
2 seemed anxious to get away from topit
= so painful, and one which had filed thei
thoughts for the last four weeks to tn,
l.. exclusion Of everything else.
|
Yet, do as they would, each was con
" scious the dark shadow Of the TRACED
Q overhung them Tho they talked Of
= dozen different matters an imperceptibl
influence led them back to the one drea
70 memory. Suddenly, and by way Of
l. variation, Eleanor said, lightly:
e Where do you work, Mr. Holt? 70
e have not showed me your studio. al
If afraid you've forgotten am a fellow stu
"a dent"
ia Franks face flushed with pleasure. II
ia was never likely to forget that.
10 20, I have only a make-shtft place,
said he. You mustn't expect the spleE
y, dor of Mevburyroad in the East End.
when magnificent studios paint p1t
- lures by themselves 1t will be. time
\ make com parsons. Mr.. Holt. said. She
- do you mind mounting three flights
- stairs?"
- mo, indeed
- Its the only place where can g,
= light that is worth anything. Are yc
!, coming. mother?"
q. my dear, you know never go to yol
T. disorderly den save on compulsion," al
I. swered his mother.
8 Something told her that she was n
u needed. Perhaps the look in Eleanor
eyes reminded her Of the time when 81
er fell in love with the handsonest man
lg Southampton. Already the subtle cha
st of sympathy, the mysterious infiuen,
which lays bare the soul of one woms