The Irish standard., 1909-05-22

have been out. Your exits and YOUR
entrances are your own affair. Now ]
hope you see the wisdom Of obeying
me, absolutely"
Il didn't know that could hate you
so much!" she said, quietly. But ]
shall not forget this. I shall let you
see before I am day older that you
are not quite the master you think
you are; suppose tell him how you
have played with him."
Then before you are three hours
older I shall precipitate crisis that
you will not like, Miss Holbrook. ad-
wise you, as your best friend, to do
what l ask"
She shrugged her shoulders, drew
the scarlet cloak more closely about
her, and left her gazing of into the
strip of wood that lay close upon the
inland side Of the clubhouse. l was
by no means sure Of her, but there
was not time for further parley. l
dropped the blue cloak on chair in a
corner and hurried round to the door
Of the ballroom, meeting Rosalind and
Gillespie coming out flushed with their
dance.
1.-The hour Of enchantment is almost
past. must have one turn before the
princess goes back to her castle!"-
and Rosalind took my arm.
Meet me at the landing in two min
utes, Gillespie! AS special favor
! as particular kindness-1 shall allow
you to take the princess home!" And
I hurried Rosalind away, regained the
blue cloak and flung 1t about her.
"Well," she said, drawing the hood
over her head, who am l now, any
howl"
Don't ask me such questions! I'm
afraid to say"
II like your air Of business. You
are undoubtedly a man of action!"
II thank you for the word. I'm
breathing hard. 1 have seen ghosts
and communicated with dragons. She's
here! Your alter ego is on this very
veranda more angry than 1t is we'll
for woman to be-"
"Oh," she faltered, "she found out
and followed?"
"She did; she undoubtedly did,"
AS we paused under one of the YER
anda lamps she looked down at the
cloak and laughed.
$50 this is hers! thought it didn' t
feel quite right. But that pair Of
gloves!"
ITS in my pocket. have stolen
it," led the way to the lower veran.
da Of the casino, which was now de.
serted. Stay right here and appear
deeply interested in the heavens above
and the waters under the earth until
I get back"
ran up the stairs again and found
Helen where had left her.
"And now" said, giving her my
arm" you will not forget the rules OF
the game! Your fortunes and your
fathers are brighter tonight than
they have ever been. You hate me
to the point of desperation. but re
member am your friend after ALL"
She stopped abruptly, hesitating.
felt indecision in the lessening touch
upon my arm, and saw it in her eye.
as the light from the ballroom dool
flooded US.
"You have taken everything ava,
from me! You are playing Reginald
against me-"
"Possibly-who knows! supposed
you had more faith in your power.
than that"
II have no faith in anything" sh.
said, dejectedly.
"Oh, yes, you have! You have al
immense amount Of faith in yourself
And you know you care nothing at al
about Reginald Gillespie; he's a nice
boy. but that's ALL"
"You are contemplate and Wicked
she f1ared. LET US co."
Gillespie's launch was ready wher
we reached the pier, and after he hat
handed her into 1t he plucked m,
sleeve, and held me for an instant.
Don't you see how wrong you are
She is superb! She is not only tn,
most beautiful girl in the world, bu
the dearest, the sweetest, the kindes
and best. You have served me bette,
than you know, old man, and In
GRATEFUL"
In a moment they were we'll unde,
way and I ran back to the dubious,
and found Rosalind where I had lef
her.
I'VE must go at once" she said
Father will be very anxious to know
how 1t all came out"
But what did you think of But
tons"
Hes very NICE" she said.
rs that all? It doesn't seem con
elusive, some way!"
"Oh, he's very kind and gentle, ant
anxious to please. But I felt like
criminal all the time"
you seemed to be a very Cheerful
criminal. suppose 1t was only tn,
excitement that kept you going"
"Of course that was It! was won
dering what to call 1t. I'm afraid tn,
sisters. at the convent would have
less pleasant word for IT,"
"Well, you are not in school now