Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-12-09
CHAPTER VI.
A SUNDAYS Mixed Affairs.


The faithful lima opened the door
of Glenarm House, and after / had
swallowed the supper he always had
ready for me when kept late hours,
l established myself In comfort on the
terrace and studied the affairs of the
house of Holbrook until the robins
rang up the dawn. On their hint I
went to bed and slept until lima
came in at ten o'clock with my coffee.
An old hymn chimed by the chapel
bells reminded me that it was Sunday.
Services were held during the sum-
mer, so the house, servants informed
me, for the benefit of the cottagers at
Port Annandale; and walking to our
pier soon saw flotilla of launches
and canoes steering for st. Agatha's.
/ entered the school grounds by the
Glenarm gate and watched several
smart traps approach by the lake
road, depositing other devout folk at
the chapel.
The sight of bright parasols and
modish gowns, the semi-urban Sunday
that had fallen in this quiet corner Of
the world, as though out of the bright
blue above, made all the more unreal
my experiences Of the night. And
just then the door of the main hall Of
st. Agatha's opened and forth came
Miss Pat, Helen Holbrook and Sister
Margaret and walked toward the
chapel.
1t was Helen who greeted me first.
Aunt Pat can't withstand the temp
tations of day like this. We're
chagrined to think we never knew
this part of the world before!"
I'm sure there is no danger" said
Miss Pat, smiling at her own timidity
as she gave me her hand I thought
that she wished to speak to me alone,
but Helen fingered at her side, and
it was she who asked the question
that was on her aunt's lips.
1--WE are undiscovered? You have
heard nothing, Mr.. Donovan?"
Nothing, Miss Holbrook," 1 said;
and / turned away from Miss Pat
! whose eyes made lying difficult-to
Helen, who met my gaze with charm.
! ing candor.
And took account of the girl anew
as walked between her and Miss Pat
through a trellised lane that alter
mated crimson ramblers and purple
clematis, to the chapel, Sister Marga-
ret's brown-robed figure preceding us.
The open sky, the fresh airs of morn
ing, the bird-song and the smell Of
ri In
Sabbath benediction. I challenged all
my senses as I heard Helen's deep
voice running on in light banter with
her aunt. 1t was not possible that
had seen her through the dusk only
the day before, traitorously meeting
her father, the foe of this dear old
lady who walked beside me. 1t was
an impossible thing; the thought was
unchivalrous and unworthy of any
man calling himself gentleman. No
one SO wholly beautiful, no one with
her voice, her steady tranquil eyes,
could, l argued, do i'll. And yet had
seen and heard her; I might have
touched her as she crossed my path
and ran down to the houseboat!
She wore to-day a white and green
gown and trailed green parasol in
white-gloved hand. Her small round
hat with its sharply upturned brim i'm
parted a new frankness to her face.
Several times she looked at me quick
ly-she was almost my own height
and there was no questioning the per-
feet honesty of her splendid eyes.
I'VE hoped you might drop in yes
terday afternoon" she said, and my
ears were at once alert
YES" laughed Miss Pat, I'VE
were"
1--WE were playing chess, and almost
came to blows!" said Helen. 1--WE
played from tea to dinner, and Sister
Margaret really had to come and tear
us away from our game"
had now learned, as though by her
own intention, that had been at st.
Agatha's. playing a harmless game
with her aunt, at the very moment
that l had seen her at the canoe