Willmar tribune., 1909-12-15
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ILLUSTRATIONS 5y
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Miss Patricia Holbrook and Miss Helen
HolbrOOk. her niece, were entrusted to
the care Of Laurence Donovan, writer,
summering near Port Annandale. Miss
Patricia confidcd to Donovan that she
q bank failure, had constantly threatened
her for money from his fathers will, of
which Miss Patricia was guardian. They
CHAPTER I.-continued.
IF strange knight in quest Of =
lady comes riding through the wood,
how shall know him? What valorous
words are written on his shield, and
does he carry lance or 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!" I ex-
claimed.
"Oh, he has no subtelty; he's
very foolish person.; he blunders at
windmills with quixotic ardor.'
Wont you please say goodnight
to Miss Holbrook for me?" said. my
hand on the door.
And then an odd thing happened.
I was about to take my departure
through the front hall when l remem-
bered 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. 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 / bowed again,
with q reverence I already felt for
her.
Then as I flung the door open and
stepped into the hall I heard the soft
swish Of skirts, light furtive step,
and caught glimpse-or could have
sworn I did-of white. There was
only one sister in the house, and a
few servants; it seemed incredible
that they could be eavesdropping
upon this guest of the house. Il
crossed a 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 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-ioor
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 q
scarlet ribbon at her throat, and the
green wall vividly accented and
heightened her outline. stood, star
ing like fool for what seemed a
century of heart-beats as she flashed
forth there, out 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. l had uncovered at sight of
her, and found, when I gained the
broad hall at Glenarm House, that I
still carried my hat.
An hour later, as dined in solitary
state, that white figure was still pres
ent before me; and 1 could not help
wondering, though the thought an
gered me, whether that graceful
head had not been bent against the
closed door of the parlor at St. Aga
tha's, and Gf such were the fac) why
Helen Holbrook, who clearly enjoyed
the full confidence of her aunt, should
have stopped to such a trick to learn
what Miss Patricia said tn ma