The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-10
Continued from last sundayD


be ready for us. But we can wait and
my sister will be greatly obliged to you
If you can let her Just wash her face
and hands,"
II am on my way to mass. sir; the
father said nothing to me of your COM
ing"
so I see, my good soul. But did he
not tell you we were likely TO come for
breakfast"
The father fasts until mass on Sun
day. sir"
Yes, OF course. but am not priest;
nor is my sister,"
She hesitated and then led us into
the study,
volna threw herself with a sigh of
fatigue onto one Of the hard wooden
chairs; took off her hat, and with a
smile exclaimed in the most natural
way I'm the world; Dear Father Am
brose. He is one Of my mothers dear
est friends"
II was such apparently ingenious
evidence Of sincerity that the good wom-
was instantly and most favorably
impressed.
Excuse me a minute" she said. and
went out.
How readily you tell them, Bob"
said VOlna, smiling,
1T was your acting that carried us
through, young lady. Dear Father Am
brose. indeed. As If you had known
him all your life"
IT think she's going to let US stay"
She came in again then, having aiken
off her bonnet ''Will you come with
me-" she said TO Volna, who rose. 1.-THE
fathers dressing room IS through there,
sir" she added to me, pointing to
door.
l made use of it promptly; washed
and shaved, and did what I could to
make myself look less like 4 tramp, be
fore I returned to the good mans study,
] must confess that the prospect of
meeting him was vastly less to my
taste now than it had appeared when
we were twenty miles away; and I
paced the floor considerably i'll at ease.
Presently Volna came in, looking as
neat and natty as if all the events Of
the past day and a half were a dream.
How on earth have you managed it2''
1 cried, gazing at her in sheer admira-
ton.
That is the dearest old soul in whom
nature ever planted the curiosity of
woman. She just fused over me as
though she was a hen and I her one
chicken"
You look as though you hadn't had
anything to make you turn a hair for
the last fortnight. The way you girls
manage these renovations always beats
me. Twenty miles away you said you
wanted to go to bed; and here you are
as fresh as paint"
You said that before; but it isn't
paint" she answered. I've another
feeling now than a desire to sleep"
so have I-disinclinatiOn to meet the
priest. Is that what you mean?"
She laughed and shook her head, mo,
indeed; I mean a desire to eat. I was
never so hungry in my life"
IT'S a very human feeling, but I wish
you hadn't said anything about it," 1
replied.
I'm a very human individual, if it
comes to that I declare could even
relish some of that awful woman's black
bread"
Most aptly the housekeeper came to
tell US she had prepared some break
fast for us in the opposite room. 1.-THE
good father would have wished this"
she said. 1T is the best l can do for
the moment"
Eggs, ham, pOtted meats, good white
wheaton bread. butter and delicious cOf-
Zee needed no sort OF apology. It was
Ike a feast for the gods in our famished
eyes, and down we sat at once. We
had nearly finished and were lingering
over the coffee and laughing carelessly
together at something which VOlna had
said-I had my cup in my hand, 1 re-
member-when the door was opened all
Unexpectedly and the priest entered.
I don't think I ever felt so foolish and
confused in my life. ! set the cup down,
flushed to the roots of my hair and
rose with a most shamefaced, down.
at-heel manner, stammering some kind
Of apology, as I met his grave, protest.
ing, surprised look.
But Volna came TO the rescue with
magnificent self-pOssessiOn. Girls have
these inspirations and beat us hollow
il. such cases. Without a sign of awk-
wardness or self-cOnsciousness she rose
and went uD TO him, smiling winsOmely.
Father Ambrose, I am in sore trouble
and have come to ask my dear mothers
old friend to help me"
It was an inspiration. Nothing less
All the protest died out Of his eyes in
the sOftened look of puzzled inquiry he
bent on her.
'I am Volna Drakona." He turned
toward me. THAT was not the truth
we told you yesterday. Before you con-
denim US, hear all our story. My moth
er's peril was the reason. You will lis
ten to me?"
7 do not understand, but your
mothers child could never appeal TO
me for a hearing in vain And this
gentleman"
He is Mr.. Robert Anstruther, an
EngnShman, VINO mas rlSked MS liberty
and his life 10 help me-"
I saw that this partial explanation
only added to the good mans utter be-
wildeFment. He stood looking from one
TO the other of US and then passed his
hand slowly across his brow. Next he
laid it gently on NOlnas head and
smoothed her hair while he gazed into
her face.
Yes. you must be her daughter. Come
to my study and just tell me every
thing"
He opened the door for her and was
following when he turned and said
courteously but with unmistakable sig
nificance: 7 will speak with you after
wards. sir"
Then the door closed on them.
CHAPTER XII.
nShe Is BetFothedU