Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-01-11
Chapter XIX-Continued,

"And If Connie comes out with me
you just find an errand in town. Rope
Jack into the scheme or any old dodge
Of that sort. Take care Mr.. Brand
knows Of it. BY the way, send Mrs
Sheppard out too
"What In the world
you're just too pretty to think hard,
Enid. 1t causes wrinkles. Do as l ask,
there's good girl"
Enid was delighted to find that
Brand strongly supported the sugges-
ton that Constance should take the
drive. Pyne, sharp on time, drew up a
smart pony in front of the cottage and
did not twitch a muscle when Con-
stance, yelled and glOved, ran down
the pathway.
Excuse me getting down." said
Pyne. Il dispensed with groom. /
guess you know the roads round here"
She climbed to the seat beside him.
1T is very good Of you to take this
trouble" she said, and when he looked
at her slight color was visible through
the veil.
'How is your motherT" he asked alb
ruptly.
He felt rather than saw her start of
surprise.
She did not expect the relationship to
be acknowledged with such sudden
candor.
''She is much better" she assured
him.
That's all right" he announced, as
II load were off his mind, and then,
somewhat to her justification, he en-
tertained her with the news.
Elsie and Mamie had quilted Pen
zance the previous evening, an aunt
having travelled from Boston as soon
as the first tidings Of the wreck reach
ed her.
"She was young, nice looking aunt,
too" he said cheerfully. "And I was
powerful fond Of those two kiddies."
The association Of ideas might
prove helpful" she suggested, with a
touch of her old manner.
THAT is what struck Elsie" he ad-
mitted. "She said she didn't know why
I couldn't marry Aunt Louisa right of,
and then we could all live together 80
Gladly"
''Oh! And what did the lady say?"
"She. thought it was q great joke un-
til l said that unfortunately I had
made other arrangements. Then she
guessed her nieces had got bit out Of
hand"
"Have you seen the poor fellow
whose arm was broken? Enid has not
had a moment to give me details OF
events since we landed"
From that point their conversation
dealt with generalities. Soon the girl
perceived his intent. His sole desire
was to place her at her ease, to make
her realize that no matter what trou-
bles life held they could be vanquished
II faced with smile. She responded
to his mood and enlivened the drive
with comments on the people they met
and the houses and villages they pass
ed. For two hours the world went we'll
because it was forgotten.
Enid, the cOnspratOr, waited until
the pair in the dogcart were out of
Sight. Then she went to the little room
at the back of the cottage where Brand
pretended to be busily engaged in COM
piling scientific account of his auri-
scope.
Il am going out. dad" she said, try
Ing to appear unconcerned.
"All right" he answered, laying
down his pipe.
Il only came to tell you because Mrs.
Sheppard Is out too"
Obviously Enid was determined that
II Pyne's calculations were worth any,
thing they should have fair play.
''Oh." he commented sharply. "but
the maid Is inf
"Yes. She is such a stupid girl In
some things. lift our guest rings you
will hear her. Would you mind asking
Mary what it is in case she gets mud
dledT"
He glanced at her She was pulling
on her gloves and vastly bothered by a
refractory button.
'If l hear the bell I will inquire" he
said, and she escaped, feeling quite
wicked.
When he was alone he did not re.