Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-30

your 8TauOI6tu0T III pl8Clu6 HOi ASAAAO in his will. You can doubtless under stand how uncomfortable person of any sensibility would be under the cir cumstances. I'm sorry you have never met her. She is very charming young lady whose happiness does not. I may say. depend on other peoples money"
 She had never told, then! l smiled at the recollection of our interviews.
 T am sure that is true, Sister The resa."
 Now, wish to speak to you about . matter of some delicacy. It is. un- derstand perfectly. no business Of mine how much of fortune MT. Glen arm left. But this matter has been brought to my attention in disagree able way. Your grandfather estab- lished this school; he gave most of the money for these buildings. 1 had other friends who offered to contribute but he insisted on doing 1t all. But now MT. Pickering takes the ground that the money-or part of 1t, at least was only loan
 "Yes: I understand"
 "Mr. Pickering tells me that he has no alternative in the matter; that the law requires him to collect this money as debt due the estate.
 That is undoubtedly true, as gen. eral proposition. He told me in New York that he had a claim against you for $50.o00."
 "Yes, that is the amount. l wish to say to you, Mr. Glenarm, that if 1t Is necessary, can pay that amount"
 Pray do not trouble about it. Sis ter Theresa. There are a good many things about my grandfather's affairs that I don't understand, but I'm not going to see an old friend of his swim dled. There's moro in all this than appears. My grandfather seems to have mislaid or lost most of his assets before he died. And yet he had the reputation of being pretty cautious business man."
 "The impression is abroad, as you must know. that your grandfather con- cealed his fortune before his death. The people hereabouts believe so; and MT. Pickering, the executor. has been unable to trace it."
 "Yes, I believe MT. Pickering has not been able to solve the problem" I said and laughed.
 But, of course. you and he will CO., operate in an effort to find the lost property"
 She bent forward slightly; her eyes. as they met mine, examined me with . keen interest.
 "Why shouldn't be frank with you, Sister Theresa? I have every reason for believing Arthur Pickering . scoundrel. He does not care to co- operate with me in searching for this money. The fact is that he is very much wishes to eliminate me as fac. tor in the settlement of the estate. 1 speak carefully; know exactly what I am saying"
 She bowed her head slightly and was silent for moment. The silence was the more marked from the fact that the hood of her habit concealed her face.
 What you say is very serious"
 "Yes, and his offcnse is equally se- rious. It may seem odd for me to be- saying this to you when I am strang. er-when you may be pardoned for having no very high opinion of me-"
 She turned her face to melt was singularly gentle and refined-not a face to associate with an idea of self. seeking or duplicity.
 T sent for you. Mir. Glenarm, be- cause I had very good opinion of you; because, for one reason. you arc the grandson of your grandfather and the friendly light in her gray eyes drove away any lingering doubt I may have had as to her sincerity. q wished to warn you to have care for your own safety. don't warn you against Arthur Pickering alone. but against the countryside. The idea of hidden fortune .s alluring; a mys. terious house and a lost treasure make a very enticing combination. I; fancy MT. Glenarm did not realize that he was creating dangers for the peo. pie he wished to help"
 She was silent again. her eyes bent medItatively upon me. Then she spoke abruptly.
 "Mr. Pickering wishes to marry my niece"
 "Ah, have been waiting to hear that. 1 am exceedingly glad to know that he has so noble an ambition. But Miss Deyereux isn't encouraging him, as near as can mako out. She re. fusod to go to California with his party-I happen to snow that"
 That 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 littie-shall I say pe:verse?-"
 Please do. l like the word and tie aualiiyi"
 And Mir. Pickering's rather elab- crate methods of wooing-"
 He's as heavy as lead!" declared.
 -Amuse Marian up to . certain point: then they annoy her. He has implied pretty strongly that the claim against me could be easily adjusted if Marian marries him. But she will never marry him. whether she benefits by your grandfather's will or however that may bel"