The Irish standard., 1909-03-20

Henry has been very bitter toward
Arthur and has appealed to me on the
score of Arthur's illdoing. 1t took all
his own fortune, be says, to save Ar
thur and the family name from dis
honor"
She was remarkab bly, composed
Throughout this recital and I mar.
veled at her more and more. Now.
after moments silence, she turned
to me with smile.
I'VE have been annoyed in ANOTHER
way. 1t is so ridiculous that l hest.
tate to tell you of it"
Pray do not-you need tell me
nothing more, Miss Holbrook."
ut is best for YOU TO know. My
niece has been ANNOYED the past year
by the attentions of young man
whom she greatly dislikes and whose
persistence distresses her very much
indeed"
well, he can hardly find her here;
and if he should"
Miss Holbrook folded her arms
upon her knees and smiled, bending
toward me.
"Oh!" she exclaimed; che isn't
violent person, Mr., Donovan. He's
silly, absurd, idiotic' You need fear
no violence from him."
and of course your niece is not in
terested-he's not fellow to appeal
to her imagination"
"'That is quite true; and then in
present unhappy circumstances. with
her father hanging over her like a
! menace, marriage is far from her
thoughts. She feels that even it she
We're attached to man and wished to
marry, she could not. wish she did
not feel so; I should be glad to see
| her married and settled in her own
home. It's very dreadful thing. as
; you can understand, for brother and
sister and father and child to be ar
rayed against one another"
I wished to guide tho talk into
cheerfu1ler channels before leaving.
Miss Pat seemed amused by the
thought Of the unwecome sutton, and
determined to leave her with some
word in reference to him.
"If a strange knight in quest Of a
lady comes riding through the wood,
how shall know him? What valorous
words are written on his shield, and
does he carry lance or a suit.case?"
He is the knight of the Sorrowful
Countenance," said Miss Holbrook in
my own key, as she rose. You would
; know him anywhere by his clothes
and the remarkable language he uses.
He is not to be taken very seriously
that's the trouble with him! But
have been afraid that he and my
brother might Join hands in the pur-
suit of us"
But the Sorrowful Knight would
not advance his interests by that
he could only injure his cause!' ex-
| claimed.
'Oh, he has no. subtelty; he's a
very foolish person.; he blunders at
! windmills with quixotic ardor."
Won't you please say goodnight
to Miss Holbrook former" | said, my
hand on the door,
And then an odd thing happened.
was about to take my departure
through the front hall when I remem-
bered a short cut TO the Glenarm gate
from the rear Of the school. I walked
the length of the parlor to door that
would. knew, give ready exit to the
open. I bowed TO Miss Pat, who stood
erect, serene. adorable. in the room
that was now touched with the first
shadows of waning day, and her slight
figure was SO eloquent of pathos, her
smile so brave. that I bowed again,
with reverence ! already felt for
her.
Then as flung the door open and
stepped into the hall heard the soft
swish Of skirts. light furtive step.
and caught ginpse-or could have
sworn I did-of white. There was
only one sister in the house, and
few servants; it seemed incredible
that they could be eavesdropping
upon this guest Of the house. l
crossed narrow hall, found the rear
door, and passed out into the park.
Something prompted me to turn
when / had taken a dozen steps to-
ward the Glenarm gate. The vines on
the gray stone buildings were cool to
the eye with their green that hung
like a tapestry from caves to earth.
And suddenly, as though she came out
of the ivied wall itself. Helen Hol-
brook appeared on the little balcony
opening from one of the first-foor
rooms, rested the tips Of her fingers
on the green vine-clasped rail, and,
seeing me, bowed and smiled.
She was gowned in white, with .
scarlet ribbon at her throat, and the
green wall wildly accented and
heightened her outline. I stood, star
ing like a fool for what seemed
century OF heart-beats as she flashed
forth there. ont Of what seemed
sheer depth of masonry; then she
turned her head slightly. as though in
disdain of me. and looked off toward
the lake. had uncovered at sight OF
her. and found. when I gained the
broad hall at GIenarm House, that I
still carried my hat.