The Delta independent., 1907-08-09
Copyright IyoS BY BoDbs-Merrill Co.
CHAPTER xvi.-Continued.


that don't understand, but I'm not
going to see an old friend of his swim
died. There's more 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
unable to trace ct"
Yes, believe Mr. Pickering has
not been able to solve the problem"
] 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 a
keen interest.
Sister Theresa? i have every reason
for believing Arthur Pickering a
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. !
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
~. l. l., L
her face.
What you say is very serious"
Yes, and his o!fcnse is equally Sc
rious. 1t may seem odd for me to be
saying this to you when am a strang-
er--when you may be pardoned for
having no very high opinion of me-"
She turned her face to met was
singularly gentle and refined-not a
face to associate with an idea of self
seeking or duplicity.
II sent for you, Mr.. Glenarm. be-
cause had very good opinion of
you; because, for one reason. you are
the grandson of your grandfather
and the friendly light in her gray eyes
drove away any lingering doubt l may
have had as to her sincerity Il
wished TO 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; a mys-
terious house and lost treasure
make very enticing combinatisn. I
fancy Mr.. 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.
MIR. Pickering wishes to marry my
niece"
"Ah. have been waiting to hear
that am exceedingly glad to know
that he has so noble an ambition. But
Miss Devereux isn't encouraging him,
as near as l can make out. She re-
fused to go to California with his
party-I happen to know 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 little-shall |
say perverse?-"
Please do! | like the word-and
the quality!"
And Mr.. Pickering's rather elab-
crate methods of wooing-"
Hes as heavy as lead!" l declared.
-Amuse Marian up to a 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 be-"
Il should say not declared with a
warmth that caused Sister Theresa to
sweep me with those wonderful gray
eyes. But first he expects to find this
fortune and endow Miss Devereux
with it. That is part of the scheme.
And my own interest in the estate
must be eliminated before he can
bring that condition about. But, Sis
ter Theresa, ] am not so easily got
rid OF as Arthur Pickering imagines.
My staying qualities, which were al
ways weak in the eyes Of my family,
have been braced up a trifie."
Yes"
! thought pleasure and hope were
expressed in the monosyllable, and my
heart warmed to her.
Sister Theresa, you and I are ur,-
derstanding each other much better
than | imagined we should"-and we
both laughed, feeling real sympathy
growing between u.s.
Yes, l believe We are"-and tho
smile lighted her face again.
SO can tell you two things. The
first is that Arthur Pickering will
never find my grandfather's lost for
tune, assuming that any exists. The
second is that in no event will he
marry your niece"
You speak with good deal of con-
fidence." she said and laughed a low,