Barton County democrat., 1907-04-05
CHAPTER XVI.
The PASSING Of Olivia.


Vited him to dinner merely to pump
him as to the Armstrong; of Cincin-
natl and their daughter. Olivia's
col father, Stoddard informed me, was a
retired physician of wealth, who lived
at Walnut Hills. can hear now the
great rOars of laughter that broke
from him as I'kept protesting that the
girl in gray | had seen at the An.
nandale station was Olivia Gladys
Armstrong. 1t was only when we set
tied down to a comparison of our i'm
Ipressions that the truth gradually
dawned upon me-that the girl in
gray was not Olivia Gladys Arm.
strong but Marian Devereux The
whole thing was ridiculous-my dem
sity, my stupid acceptance of the
ground on which Marian Devereux
had chosen to meet me; and | was not
convinced until the big chaplain had
given me a circumstantial description
lof the real Olivia-a child of Is, with
gypsy face and dark hair and eyes.
Where has Miss Devereux gomez
why. to Cincinnati, with Olivia
Gladys Armstrong" he answered.
. "They's great chums, you know"
On top of my mail next morning lay
q small envelope, unstamped, and ad.
dressed to me ina free running hand.
81 ferguson, the gardner, left It," ex-
planned Bates.
] opened and read:
"If convenient will Mr.. Glenarm
kindly look in at st. Agatha's some
day this week at four o'clock. Sister
Theresa wishes to see him."
] whistled softly. My feelings to-
ward Sister Theresa had been those
Of utter ,repugnance and antagonism.
had been avoiding her studiously and
was not little surprised that she
should seek an interview with me.
Quite possibly she wished to inquire
how soon expected to abandon Glen
arm House; or perhaps she WISHED to
admonish me as to the perils of my
soul. In any event liked the quality
OF her note and was curious to know
why she sent for me; moreover, Ma
rian Devereux was her niece and this
knowledge had changed my attitude
toward the institution beyond the
wall.
At four o'clock | passed into St
Agatha's territory and rang the bell at
the door of the building where had
left Olivia the evening l found her In
the chapel. A Sister admitted me, led
the way to small reception room
where. imagined, the visiting parent
was received, and left me. felt a
{, good deal like school boy who has
been summoned before a severe mas
ter for discipline. was idly beating
my hat with my gloves when a quick
step sounded In the hall and instantly
"a brown-clad figure appeared in the
doorway.
1t was deep, rich voice, voice of
assurance, voice, let me say, of the
world-the voice, too, l may add, of a
woman who Is likely to come to the
point without ado. The white band
at her forehead brought into relief
two wonderful gray eyes that were
alight with kindness. She surveyed
me a moment, then her lips parted
with a smile.
"This room is rather forbidding; IL
you will come with me"
She turned with an air of authority
that was part of ber undeniable dis
tinction, and was seated a moment
g. later In a, pretty sitting room whose
windows gave view of the dark win.
ter wood and frozen lake beyond.
Tin afraid, Mr.. Glenarm, that you
are not disposed to he neighborly and
you must pardon me II seem to be
pursuing you"
Her smile, her voice, her manner
. were charming. had pictured her a
sour old woman, who had hidden awav
from a world that had offered her no
pleasure.
Z" The apologies must all be on mv
side, Sister. Theresa. have been
greatly occupied since coming here
distressed and perplexei. sven"
Our young ladies treasure the i,,u.
sion that there are ghosts in ycur
houIe," she said, with smile that
disposed of the matter.
She. folded her slim white hands
md spoke with simple directness.
Mr.. Glenarm, there is something I
wish to ask you, but can say it only
Y we are to be friends. have feared
you might look upon us here as ene-
mics"
That Is strong word" replied
s!evasively.
Let me say to you that hope very
much that nothing will prevent your
lnhertting all that Mr.. Glenarm wished
you to have from him"
Thank yeu: that is both kind and
generous" said with no little sur
prise.
Not In the least. I should be dis
loyal to yssr grandfather. who was
ny friend and the triend Of my family
II did JAst fea kindly toward you and
via Tea wen. And I must say for
my nieoe-"
;, Mss Devereux." found & certain
pleasure b Woaeunclng her mama