The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-05-29

A brave little smile played apou,
Miss Pats lips. She stood there in
the light Of the candles all in white
as I had left her on the terrace of
Glenarm. in her lace cap, with only q
light shawl about her shoulders.
felt that the situation might vet be
saved. and was about to speak when
Henry, with some wild notion OF JOS
tifying himself, broke out stridently:
Eyes; they meant to lie to you!
They plotted against me and bounded
me when I wished to see you peace
ably and to make amends They have
now charged me with murder; they
are ready to swear away my honor,
my life. l am glad you are here that
you may see for yourself how they
are against me-"
He broke off little grandly, as
though convinced by his own words.
YES; father speaks the truth, az
Mr.. Donovan can tell you!"
could have sworn that it was Rosa.
lind who spoke; but there by Rosa
lind's side in the doorway stood Helen.
Her head was lifted, and she faced us
all with her figure tense, her eyes
blazing. Rosalind drew away a little,
and ] saw Gillespie touch her hand.
1t was as though quicker sense than
sight had on the instant undeceived
him; but he did not look at Rosalind;
his eyes were upon the angry girl
who was about to speak again. Miss
Pat glanced about, and her eyes rested
on me.
Larry. what were the lies you were
going to tell me?" she asked, and
smiled again.
"They we're about father; he wished
to involve him in dishonor. But he
shall not, he shall mott" cried Helen.
rs that true, Larry?" asked Miss
Pat.
II have done the best I could" I
replied evasively.
Miss Pat scrutinized us all slowly az
though studying our faces for tho
truth. Then she repeated:
But ii either Of my said sons shall
have been touched by dshonor through
his own act, as honor Is accounted.
reckoned and valued among men,"
and ceased abruptly. looking from Ar
thur to Henry. What was the truth
about Gillespie?" she asked
And Arthur would have spoken.
saw the word that would have saved
his brother formed upon his lips.
Miss Pat alone seemed unmoved;
saw her hand open and shut at her
side as she controlled herself, but her
face was calm and her voice was
steady when she turned appealingly to
the canoe-maker.
What Is the truth, Arthur" she
asked. quietly.
why 60 into this now? Why not
let bygones he bygones?"-and for a
moment I thought had checked tho
swift current. It was Helen wished
to save now. from herself, from the
avalanche she seemed doomed to bring
down upon her head.
II will hear what you have to say.
Arthur said Miss Pat: and I knew
that there was no arresting theatide.
I snatched out the sealed envelope and
turned with It to Arthur Holbrook;
and he took It into his hands and
turned It over quietly, though his
hands trembled.
Tell me the truth, gentlemen!"-
and Miss Pats voice thrilled now with
anger.
"Trickery, more trickcry; those
were stolen from Helen!" blurted Hen.
ry. HIS eyes on the envelope; but We
were waiting for the canoe-maker to
speak, and Henry's words rang empti.
ly in the shop.
Arthur looked at his brother; then
ne faced his sister.
Henry is not guilty" he said,
calmly.
He turned with quick gesture and
thrust the envelope into the flame of
one OF the candles: but Helen sprang
forward and caught away the blazing
packet and smothered the flame be-
tween her hands.
1--WE will keep the proof" she said
In a tone Of triumph; and knew then
how completely she had believed in
her father.
Il don't know what is in that pack
et." said Gillespie, slowly. speaking for
the first time. "Tt has never been
Spened. My lawyer told me that ia.
ther had sworn to a statement about
the trouble with Holbrook Brothers
and placed 1t with the notes. My faI
ther was a peculiar man in somd
ways" continued Gillespie, embar .
raised by the attention that was now
riveted upon him. "His lawyer told \
me that was to open that package
before-before marrying into"-and he
grew red and stammered helplessly,
with his eyes on the foor-"before
marrying into the Holbrook family. I
save up that pachet''-and he hest
tated, coloring, and turning from Hell
en- to Rosalind-"by mistake. But it's
mine. and demand it now"
~ wish Aunt Pat to open the en-.
velope," said Rosalind. very white.
Henry turned look Of appeal upon
his brother; but Miss Pat took the
envelope from Helen and tore it open;
and we stood by as though we waited
HRRA