The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-05-15
ee1EC0 X! XXX


announced the maid, and I found
Helen and Sister Margaret waiting in
the library.
The sister, as though by prearrange-
ment, went to the farther end of the
room and took up book.
II wish to see you alone" said Hell
en-, "and didn't want Aunt Pat to
know I came" and she glanced toward
Sister Margaret, whose brown habit
and nuns bonnet had merged into the
shadows of remote alcove.
The brim of Helen's white.plumed
hat made little dusk about her eyes.
Pink and white became her; she put
aside her parasol and folded her I'M
gloved hands, and then, as she spoke,
her head went almost imperceptibly to
one side, and found myself bending
forward as studied the differences
between her and the girl on the Tippe-
canoe. Helen's lips were fuller and
ruddier, her eyes darker. her lashes
longer. But there was another differ
ence, too subtle for my powers of
analysis; something less obvious than
the length Of lash or the color of eyes;
and was not yet ready to give a
name to it. OF one thing was sure:
My pulses quickened before her; and
her glance thrilled through me as Ros-
alind's had not.
"Mr. Donovan, I have come to ap-
peal to you to put an end to this mis-.
cradle affair into which we have
brought you. My own position has
grown too difficult, too equivocal, to be
borne any longer. You saw from
my fathers conduct last night how
hopeless it is to try to reason with
him. He has brooded upon his troubles
until he is half mad. And I learned
from him what had not dreamed of,
that my Uncle Arthur is here-here,
of all places. suppose you know
that"
Eyes; but it is a mere coincidence.
1t was a good hiding place for him, as
we'll as for us"
1T Is very unfortunate for all of us
that he should be here. had hoped
he would bury himself where he would
never be heard of again." she said,
and anger burned for moment in her
face. 1T he has any shame left, I
should think he would leave here at
once!"
IT'S to be remembered, Miss Hol-
brook, that he came first; and I am
quite satisfied that your father sought
him here before you and your aunt
came to Annandale. 1t seems to me
the equity lies with your uncle-the
creek as hiding place belongs to him
by right of discovery"
She smiled ready agreement to this,
and felt that she had come to win
support for some plan Of her own. She
had never been more amiable; certain
ly she had never been lovelier.
you are quite right. We had all Of
us better go and leave him in peace.
What is 1t he does there-runs ferry
or manages a b0athouse?'
"He is canoe-maker," said, dryly,
with more than local reputation"
Her tone changed at once.
I'm glad; I'm very glad he has es-
capped from his old ways; for all our
sakes," she added, with little sigh.
And poor Rosalind! You may not
know that he has daughter. She is
about year younger than I. She
must have had sad time of it. I was
named for her mother and she for
mine. II you should meet her. Mr..
Donovan. wish you would tell her
how sorry am not to be able to see
her. But Aunt Pat must not know
that Uncle Arthur is here. I think
she has tried to forget him, and her
troubles with my father have effaced
everything else. hope you will man.
age that, for me; that Aunt Pat shall
not know that Uncle Arthur and Rosa.
lind ere here. 1t could only distress
her. 1t would be opening book that
she believes closed forever"
Her solicitude for her aunt's peace
of mind. spoken with eyes averted and
in low tone, lacked nothing.
II have seen your cousin" said. II
saw her, in fact, this morning."
"Rosalind? Then you can tell me
whether-whether I am really SO like
her as they used to think"
You are rather like!" I replied
lightly. But I shall not attempt to
tell You how. It would not dot
would involve particulars that might
prove embarrassing. There are times
when even I find discretion better
than frankness."
"You wish to save my feelings" she
laughed. But I am really taller!"
by an inch-she told me that
"Then you have seen her more than
once?'
"Yes; more than twice even"
"Then YOU must tell me wherein we
are alike; should really like to
know"
II have told you I can't; it's beyond
my poor powers. I will tell you this,
though"
"Well?"
THAT think you both delightful"
II am disappointed in you. thought
you a man of courage, Mr.. Donovan"
Even brave men falter at the can