The Red Cloud chief., 1906-10-26

lllcIe DuLslth n4ll' * isih H w.
10 more than others. so he wondered
why she wore such an air of settled
melancholy. Throughout the lighthouse
Gloom was dispelled. The sick became
well. the lethargic became lively. Even
the tipplcrs of methylatCl spirits, dead
~ i'll before, had worked like Trolans
at the rope as eager to rchabilitate
their shattered character as to land the
much needed stores.
What trouble had befallen this wo
man. 50 gracious. 80 facilc, so worship
full in her charm Of manner and utter
ancc during the years he had known
her, that she remained ~listlcss when all
about her was life and joyance, she,
the cynosure OF many eyes Nv her cos
tunes md graceful carriage. covering
from recognition? Here was a mys-
terry, though she had r%cpudiated the
word, and a mystery which, thus far,
defeated his ~subconscious efforts ut So
luton.
She lifted her eyes to his. Her ex-
preston was forlorn, compelling pity
by its utter desolation.
w hat tOto IS ~ WV uNhNt
plaintively. "Why has he not spoken
clearly? Can you tell me what it is,
this great happiness which has entered
so strangely into his life and mincT'
Il have never met any man who
knew exactly what he meant To say
and exactly how to say 1t better than
Cyrus j." said Pyne.
But he has written TO you surely.
Does he give no hint?'
Ills letter is u very short one. To
be candid, | have hardly made myself
acquainted with its contents as yet"
You are fencing with me. You
know, and you will not tell"
Her mood changed SO rapidly that
Pyne was not wholly prepared for the
attack.
1T is a good rule" he said, 'never
to pretend you n handle another
mans affairs better than he can handle
them himself"
He met her kindling glance firmly.
The anger that s%clntillated in her eyes
almost found u%tterance, but this clever
woman of the world felt that nothing
would be gained, perhaps a great deal
lost, by any open display of temper.
She laughed scornfully.
mr.. Trail is certainly the best
Judge of those worthy of his conf
dence. Excuse me II l spoke heatedly.
Let matters remain where they We're"
"Just a word, Mrs. Vansittart. My
uncle has written you fairly and
Coma ,oly IIa hos NOT Innin1 ynu hil
confidence. If l understood you, he
has promised it to the fullest extent"
Yes, that is true"
"Then what are we quarreling
aboutT"
He laughed in his careless way to
put her at her ease. She frOwned med
itatively. She who could smile in such
a dazzling fashion had lost her art of
late.
you are right" she said slowly. II
am Just a hysterical woman, starting
Mt shadows, making mountains out of
molehills. Forgive me-"
AS Pyne went on up the stairs his
reflections took this shape:
THE old man SHE'D at telling her
outright. L WOIltCl why. iiS 10 hoN
full of tact, the smoothest old boy
ever fell up against. He thinks there
may have been little troubles here, per
haps. Well, l guess he's right"
In the service room he found Brand
cleaning a lamp calmly and methodic-
ally. All the stores had been carried
downstairs and the storeroom key CIV
en- over to the purser.
81 am glad you have turned up" said
the lighthouse keeper. "Oblige me by
opening that locker and taking back
the articles l %purloined recently. II
the purser asks for an explanation, tell
him the truth and say l am willing ia
eat this stuff now for my sins"
Pyne noticed that Brands own let
tiers lay In a small pile on the writing
desk. With two exceptions, they were
unopened. AS a matter of fact, he had
glanced at the superscriptions, saw
that they were nearly all from stran
gers and laid them aside until night
fell and the lighting of the lamps would
give him a spare moment.
"Ill do that with pleasure" said the
American, 'but there's one thing
want to discuss with you while there
- a chance Of being alone. Ny uncl,
says he has written to you"
"To me?"
Eyes. 1t deals with an importan
matter too. 1t concerns Enid"
"Mr. Trail has written to me abou
EnidT' repeated Brand, stopping hi
Industrious polishing to see IL Pyn'
were joking with him.
That's so. See; here Is his letter
1t will tell Its own story. Guess YOu'i