The Washington times., 1906-08-05

swirdled. There's more IN all this
than appears. AIy grandfather seems
10 have WislaiI or lost most OF his
assets before he died. And yet he had
the reputation Of being a pretty eau
JioUs business man"
THE impTess-~n Is abroad, q You
must know. that your grandfather
concealed his fortune before his death.
The people hcreabouts believe so: ani
Mr. Pickering. the executor. has been
unable 90 trace it
Yes. believe Mr.. Pickering has
not been able 10 solve the problem"
7 said and laughed
But Of course. YOU and he will CO.
operate IN an effort 20 find the lost
property"
She bent forward slightly: her eyes.
as they rret mine, examined me with
q keen interest.
why shouldn't be frank with you,
Sister Theresa? / have every reason
for believing Arthur Pickering a
scoundreL lie does not care TO CO.
operate with me in searching for this
money. The fact is that he very much
wishes 10 eliminate me as a factor
in the settlement Of the estate.
speak carefully; ] know exactly what
am sowing
She bowed her head slightly and wa
silent for moment. The silence was
the more marked from the fact that
the hood OF her habit concealed he
face.
What YOU say Is very serious"
Yes. and his Onense is equally
e--i..'- Ts may seem odd for me 10 be
saying this 10 you when ] am
stranger: when you may be pardOned
Tor having no very high opinion OF
me"
She turned her face 10 met was
singuIarly gentle and reiined-not u
face 20 associate with an idea Of self
seeking or duplicity.
Il sent for you, Mr.. Gienarm, be-
cause 7 had a very good opinion OF
YOU: because. for one reason, you are
the grandson of your grandfather"-
and the friendly light In her gray
c~es drove away any lingering doubt
/ NAV have had as 10 her sincerity.
II wished 20 warn YOU TO have a care
for your own safety. ! don't warn
YOU against Arthur Pickering alone.
but against the countryside. The idea
Of a hidden fortune is alluring;
mysterious house and a lost treasure
make a very enticlng combination. I
fancy Sir Gleuarm did not realize
that he was creating dangers for the
people he wished 20 help"
She was silent again. her eyes bent
meditatlvely upon me; then she spoke
abruptly.
Mr.. Pickering wishes TO marry my
niece"
"Ahi I have been waiting TO hear
that. I am exceedingly glad 20 know
that he has 81 noble an ambition.
But Miss Devercux isn't encouraging
him. as near as can make out. She
refused 70 go 10 California with his
party-I happen 10 know that"
The whole California episode would
have been amusing If it had not been
ridiculous. Marian never had the
slightest idea of>going with him; but
she is sometimes a ittle-shau I say
perverse -
Please do I like the word-and
the qualityr'
And Mr.. Pickering's rather elabor-
ate method of wooing-"
Hes as heavy as lead"' declared.
''Amuse Marian up TO a certain
point; then they annoy hers He has
implied pretty strongly that the claim
against me could be easily adjusted II
Marian marries him. But she will
never marry him. whether she benefits
by your grandfather will or how
ever that may bei'
7 should say not" declared with
a warmth that caused Sister Theresa
10 sweep me warily with those Won
dergul gray eyes, but first he ex-
poets 20 find this fortune and endow
Miss DevereuX with IL. That Is a
part OF the scheme And my own in
terest in the estate must be eliminated
before he can bring that condition
about. But. Sister Theresa. I am not
so easily got rid of as Arthur Picker
ing imagines. My staying qualities.
which were always weak in the eyes
Of my family, have been braced up a
trifie.'
Yes" I thought pleasure and hope
were expressed in the monosyliabie,
and my heart warmed TO her.
TUT SET q