The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1909-12-23
CHAPTER Vl.-Continued,

Then I don't see anything for it
but for you to leave things as they
are" I admitted.
He was not satisfied, however, to do
that on his own judgment.
IF I could only be sure she isn't
playing a part" he unused.
Then you're not sure?"
"One minute I think I am and the
next I think I'm not. If there wasn't
so much at stake, I'd risk my own
opinion more readily. AS it is, I'm
afraid to do it." He looked at me
with a sudden usefulness. "Twining,
do you-you do care a little for her,
don't you?" he asked frankly.
Not a little" said I grimly.
Then will you help me to make
sure?"
How"
60 to her and find out"
1 took a turn or two up and down
the room.
I'll CO." l said.
Maybe you'll be able to make her
out better than I. I don't deny it
seems to m she loves him. But pin
her down. Don't let her wriggle away,
whatever you do. You know she'll
try to. And e here, Twining, 1 don't
want her to know that you know
about-about the money. She thinks
nobody knows but Ankony, and it'd
kill her to find out that he'd told it,
even to you-or rather, to you Of all
others. Remember you must keep that
from her if you can"
Trust me- I said, as I took up nv
hat.
ON, you're not going now, are you?
I've just come from her, you know,
and she'll be suspicious. Why not
give her time to forget a little?. It
isn't easy to wait, but 1 believe it's
better. Mrs. Ankony gives her dinner
tonight. You'd have a chance to talk
with her there. wouldn't your"
You're right" I said; "Ill wait"
Mrs. Ankony was in high and be.
coming feather. that evening. She
managed to veil her complacency un.
til 1t missed being Objectionable. This,
however, was n of the few occas
IONS which had come her way unon
which she could distinctly congratu
ate herself: a dinner in compliment
to my dear Barbara" a perfectly an.
pointed dinner, too, and n I think
most o. her guests enjoyed. For my
self, thought it would never end.
Most Of Barbara's friends were
there, and but few of Ankony's. The
forlorn Hope was there to a man
seeking to present an unbattered
'front.'. l had a kindred feeling 70,
them. Dan was not there. He simpl,
would not ge. Bishop W~instanley sal
on the left of the hostess, beside Miss
Streeter. He was delightfully."- fluent
and h sympathetically attendant
The soft light of the candles fell m
her hair, on her pure contour, or he,
ivory skin and her pale shimmerins
gown. She ate, as the rest of us. bul
TO me 1T was exactly as if a Correggif
or a Botticelli had leaned from he,
frame to nibble a sweet wafer or triAt
with a salad. Occasionally she spoke
but / did not hear what she said.
wa OOA4CA4OW, 10 Qear hQ1
say anything, but when one looks a,
she does what M saws is immateria,
Barbara was scint.llant, with al
her old charm illuminated, as It were
by something new and vivifying With
In. ! watched her with a siy,kins
heart; surely she cared for Ankony O.
she could not look like this. I toll
myself so half a hundred time
through dinner, and after, finding be-
with only three men dancing atten
dance upon her, I promptly put then
all to rout that I might carry her of
and have it over.
Come out and see the roses"
said.
mr.. Ankony shossed me them be
fore dinner. They aAe beautiful"
Bat he didn't ahowlyou the moon,