The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-04-17
CHAPTER xl.
The Carnival Of Canoes.

The Carnival Of Canoes.
had dined alone and was lounging
about the grounds when heard voices
near the Glenarm wall. There was no
formal walk there, and my steps were
silenced by the turf The heavy scent
OF flowers from within gave me a hint
of my whereabouts; there was. I re-
membered. at this point on the school
lawn rustic bench empowered in
honeysuckle, and Miss Pat and Helen
were. ! surmised. taking their coffee
there. started away thinking to enter
by the gate and join them, when Hell
ems voice rose angrily-there was no
mfstaking II. and she said In tone
that rang oddly on my ears:
But you are unkind to him! You
are unjust! It is not fair to blame IA
Their for his Ill fortune
THAT is true, Helen: but tits not your
fathers Ill fortune that hold against
him. All I ask Of him is to be sane,
reasonable. to change his manner Of
life, and to come to me in a spirit OF
fairness"
But he is proud. just as you are;
and Uncle Arthur ruined him! It was
not father. but Uncle Arthur. who
brought all these hideous things upon
u.s."
passed rapidly on. and resumed my
walk elsewhere. It was sad bust
ness. the shadowy father; the criminal
uncle. who had. as Helen said. brought
ruin upon them all: the sweet, mother.
~. older sister. driven in desperation
to hide: and. not less melancholy, this
beautiful girl. the pathos Of whose no.
sition had struck me increasingly. Per-
haps Miss Pat was too severe. and
half accused her of know not what
crimes of rapacity and greed for with
holding her brothers. money: then |
set my teeth hard into my pipe as my
slumbering loyalty to Miss Pat warmed
my heart again.
cts the night Of the carnival sir"
lima reminded me. seeking me at the
watertower.
very good, Lima. You needn't lock
the boathonse. I may go out later"
The cottagers at Port Annandale
hold once every summer canoe fete.
and this was the appointed night. I
was In no mood for gayety of any sort.
but 1t occurred to me that 7 might re-
lieve the strained relations between
Helen and her aunt by taking them
out to watch the procession OF boats.
7 passed through the gate and took
turn or two. not to appear to know
Of the whereabout Of the women. and
to my surprise met Miss Pat walking
alone.
She greeted me with her usual kind.
ness, hut ! knew that had broken
upon sad reflections. Helen WAS not
In sight, but strolled back and forth
with Miss Pat, thinking the girl might
appear.
II had a note from Father Stoddard
today" said Miss Pat.
II congratulate you," laughed. HE
doesn't honor me-"
He's much occupied" she remarked
defensively; land suppose he doesn't
indulge in many letters. Mine was
only ten lines long. not more!"
Father Stoddard feels that he has
a mission in the world, and he has lit
tie time for people like us. who have
food. clothes and drink in plenty. He
gives his life to the hungry, unclothed
and thirsty"
And now, quite abruptly, Miss Pat
spoke of her brother.
Has Henry gomez"
Yes; he left ten days ago"
She nodded several times, then
looked at me and smiled.
you have frightened him Off! am
grateful to you!"--and 7 was glad in
my heart that she did not know that
Gillespie's money had sent him away.
Helen had not appeared, and | now
made bold to ask for her.
LET me send the maid to tell her
you are here" said Miss Pat, and we
walked to the door and rang.
The maid quickly reported that Miss
Holbrook begged to be excused.
"She is a little afraid Of the damp
night air Of the garden" said Miss
Pat. with so kind an intention that ]
smiled to myself. felt from her man.
ner that she wished to detain me- No
one might know how her heart ached,
but It was less the appeal Of her gentle.
ness that won me now, think, than
the remembrance that flashed upon
me Of her passionate outburst after
our meeting with the italian; and that
seemed very long ago. She had been
magnificent that day, like a queen
driven to desperation, and throwing
down the gauntlet as though she had
countless battalions at her back. In
decision took flight before shame; 1t
was 4 privilege to know and to serve
her!
Miss Holbrook, won't you come out
to see the water fete? We can look
upon it in security and comfort from
the launch. The line Of march Is from
Port Annandale past here and toward
the village. then back again. You can
come home whenever you like. I had
hoped Miss Helen might come, too.
but / beg that You will take compass
sion upon my loneliness.