Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-07-04
CHAPTER xvI.-continued


things about my grandfather's affairs
that l 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 q 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
Mr.. Pickering, the executor, has been
unable to trace it."
Yes, believe Mr.. Pickering has
not been able to solve the problem"
r 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 l be frank with you,
Sister Theresa? l 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
or in the settlement of the estate.
speak carefully; know exactly what
am saying
She bowed her head slightly and
was silent for a moment. The silence
was the mo marked from the fact
hat the hood of her habit concealed
ner face.
What you say is very serious"
Yes, and his offcnse is equally Sc
~ious. 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
sngularly gentle and refined-not a
face to associate with an idea of self.
seeking or duplicity.
81 sent for you, Mr.. Glenarm, be-
cause l had very good opinion of
you; because, for one reason. you are
he grandson of your grandfather
and the friendly light in her gray eyes
drove away any lingering doubt may
nave had as to her sincerity II
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 IS alluring; a mys-
,erious house and a lost treasure
make very enticing combination. |
'ancy Mr. Glenarm did not realize that
ae was creating dangers for the PEG.
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
aiece"
"Ah, have been waiting to hear
that. am exceedingly glad to know
that he has so noble an ambition. But
Miss Deyereux isn't encouraging him,
as near as | can make out She re-
fused to go to California with his
party happen to know that"
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 little-shall |
say perverse?-"
Please do! like the woodland
the quality!"
And Mr.. chickering's rather elab-
crate methods of wooing-"
He's as heavy as Lead" 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-"
, / 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 trife."
Yes"
| thought pleasure and hope were
expressed in the monosyllable, and my
heart warmed to her.
Sister Theresa, you and are un
derstanding each other much better
than imagined we should WI
both laughed, feeling real sympath.
growing between u.s."
Yes, / believe we are"-and tn,
smile lighted her face again.
$50 can tell you two things. Tn
first is that Arthur Pickering will
never find my grandfather's lost fol-
tune, assuming that any exists. TIL
second is that in no event will h
marry your niece"
"You speak with a good deal of col
fidence," she said and laughed a low
murmuring laugh. thought there wa
relief in it. But didn't suppose Nj
rians affairs interested YOU"
They don't, Sister Theresa. He
affairs are not of the slightest impor
ance-Dut she isl"
There was frank inquiry in her eye
now.
But you don't know her-you ha,
missed your opportunity"
ITO be sure, | don know her; but
know Olivia Gladys Armstrong. She
particular friend of mine-we hay
chased rabbits together. and she to
me great deal. have formed
very good opinion of Miss Deyerel