The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-11-26

Helen, If you will see our things
disposed of l will detain Mr.. Donovan
few minutes" said Miss Holbrook.
Or l can come again in an hour-I
am your near neighbor," l remarked,
thinking she might wish to rest from
her journey.
Il am quite ready" she replied, and
bowed to Helen Holbrook and to Sis
ter Margaret, who went out, followed
by the maid. Miss Pat-you will par
don me If l begin at once to call her
by this name, but it fits her so CAPT.
tally, it Is SO much part of her, that
! cannot restst--Miss Pat put OF her
bonnet without fuss, placed 1t ON the
table and sat down in a window seat
whence the nearer shore of the lake
was visible across the strip of smooth
lawn. III,
Will you please close the door,"
She said. and when ] came back to the
window she began at once.
1t is not pleasant, as you must
understand, to explain to stranger
an intimate and painful family trouble.
But Father Stoddard advised me to be
quite frank with you
That is the best way, if there is
possibility that may be of service"
l said in the gentlest tone could
command. But tell me no more than
you wish. l am wholly at your serv-
Ice without explanations"
1T is in reference to my brother;
he has caused me a great deal of
trouble. When my father died nearly
ten years ago-he lived to great
age-he left considerable estate,
large fortune. A part Of it was d.
vided at once among my two brothers
and myself The remainder, amount
ing to $1,00O,O00, was left to me, with
the stipulation that was to make a
further division between my brothers
at the end of ten years. or at my dis
erection. l was older than my broth
ers, much older, and my father left
me with this responsibility, not know
Ing what it would lead to. Henry
and Arthur succeeded to my fathers
business, the banking firm of Hol-
brook Brothers, in New York. The
bank continued to prosper for a time;
then 1t collapsed suddenly The debts
were all paid, but. Arthur disappeared
there were unpleasant rumors-" =
She paused q moment, and looked
out Of the window toward the lake,
and saw her clasped hands tighten;
but she went on bravely.
That was seven years ago. Since
then Henry has insisted on the final
division of the property. My father
had a high sense Of honor and he slip
ulated that If either Of his sons should
be guilty Of any dishonorable act he
should forfeit his half OF the $1,000,-
900. Henry insists that Arthur has
forfeited his rights and that the,
amount withheld should be paid to
him now; but his conduct has been
such that feel ] should serve him Ill
to pay him 80 large sum of money.
Moreover, owe something to his
daughter-to Helen. Owing to her IA
theirs reckless life ! have had her
make her home with me for several
years. She Is, q noble girl, and very
beautiful you must have Seen Mr..
Donovan, that she is an unusually
beautiful girl"
Yes" assented.
And better than that she said,
with feeling. @she Is lovely char
acter."
nodded, touched to see how COM
pleteiy Helen Holbrook filled and sat
isaed her aunt's life. Miss Pat con-
tinued her story.
my brother flrst sought to brighten
me into q settlement BY menacing my
own peace; and now he includes Hell
Len In his animosity. Ny house at
Stamford was sset ON fire q month ago;
then thieves entered It and Il was
obliged to leave. We arranged to 60
abroad, but when We got to the steam
er We found Henry waiting with .
threat to follow us II / did not accede
Ito his demands. II was Father Etod-
Isdard who suggested this place. and
I've cames ~ . circuftous route. paus-
ling here and there to zee @whether we
we're followed. You can imagine how
tre4slns Ao8 wretched all this
lShAs 4 .ss
70; 4 ~ = sad story, Miss Hcl:
. pgoc Hut VOW are not likely to b