The Irish standard., 1909-04-10

barricade at the same time" ven.
tured boldly.
THAT does require some ingenuity"
she replied. musingly, "but am a very
flexible character
But what will bend will break-you
| may carry the game too far"
"Oh, are you tired of 1t already?"
Not bit of it: but I should like
to make this stipulation with you:
! That as you and seem to be pitted
: against each other In this little con-
test, We shall fight 1t all out behind
; Miss Pats back. prefer that she
shouldn't know what a." and I hes
itated.
ooh. give me a name, won't you?"
she pleaded, mockingly.
What a beautiful deceiver you
are!"
i Splendid! We will agree that am
deceiver!"
III it gives you pleasure! You are
welcome to all the Joy you can get out
Of it,"
please don't be bitter! Let us play
fair. and not stoop to abuse"
81 should think you would feel con.
trite enough after that ugly business
of this afternoon. You didn't appear
to be even annoyed by that Italians
effort to smash the launch"
She was silent for an instant:
heard her breath come and go quickly;
when she responded with what seemed
a forced lightness:
you really think that was inspired
by" she suddenly appeared at 4
loss.
by Henry Holbrook. as you know
we'll enough. And II Miss Pat should
be murdered through his enAnity, don't
you see that your position in the mat
ter would be difficult to explain? Muir
der. my dear young woman, is not
looked upon complacently, even in this
remote corner OF the world!"
You seem given to the use Of
strong language, Mr.. Donovan. Let us
drop the calling of names and consider
Just where you put me-"
II don't put you at all: you have
taken your own stand. But I will say
that was surprised. not to say
panied, to fnd that you played the
eavesdropper the very hour you came
to Annandale.'
A moments silence; the water muir
| INJURED in the reeds below: an owl
hooted in the Glenarm wood! a rest.
less bird chirped from It's perch in a
maple overhead.
"Oh. to be sure!" she said at last
You thought I was listening while
Aunt Pat unfolded the dark history of
the Holbrooks."
II knew 1t. though I tried to be.
lieye I was mistaken. But when
saw you there on Tippecanoe creek,
meeting your father at the canoema.
ker's house. was astounded; I did
not know that depravity could go so
far"
"My poor. unhappy. unfortunate "a
ther!" she said in low voice; there
was almost moan in II.
II suppose you defend your conduct
on the ground Of filial duty" sug.
gested, finding It difficult to be severe.
"Why shouldn't I? Who are you TO
Judge our affairs? We are the unhap.
piest family that ever lived; but I
should like you to know that 1t was
not by my wish that you were brought
into our councils. There is more in
all this than appears!"
There is nothing in it but Miss Pat
her security. her peace, her happi-
ness. am pledged to her. and tho
rest OF you are nothing to me. But
you may tell your father that have
been in rows before and that propose
to stand by the guns"
II shall deliver your message, Mr..
Donovan; and I give you my fathers
thanks for IT," she Knocked.
Your father calls you Rosalind-
before strangers" ! remarked.
Yes. It's a fancy Of his" she muir.
INJURED, lingeringly. Sometimes it's
Viola. or Perdita. but, as I think Of It,
It's oftener Rosalind. hope you don't
object, Mr.. Donovan7"
mo. rather like It: It's in keeping
with your variable character. You
seem prone, like Rosalind, to wood
land wandering. I dare say the other
people Of the cast will appear In due
season. So far have seen only the
Fool"
1.-The Fool? Oh. yes; there vas
Tombstone, wasn't there?"
II believe 1t is admitted that theirs
was"
She laughed; felt that we we're
bound to get on better, now that We
understood each other
You are rather proud of your at.
tainments, aren't you? have really
read the play, Mr. Donovan; have
even seen It acted"
II did not mean to reflect on your
intelligence, which is acute enough; or
on your attainments, which are snf
fcfent; or on your experience OF life
well spoken! ! really believe that
! am liking you better all the time
Mr.. Donovan"
my heart Is swollen with gratitude
You heard my talk with your father at
his cottage last night. And then you
few back to Miss Pat and played the
hVpOcrite with the art1essness of Rosa.