The Irish standard., 1909-05-22

given me SWeeter benedicttOn. Il
never intended that Helen should play
with you. She may serve me as she
likes, but I don't want her to SINCE
your wings, Larry"
II have been shot at in three Ian
guages, and half drowned in others.
and rewards have been offered for me.
Do you think I'm going down before a.
mere matter Of beaux yeux! Think
better Of me than that"
But she is treacherous; she will de-
liver you to the Philistines without
losing heartbeat"
She could, Miss Patricia, but she
WON'T"
She has every intention Of marry
ing Gillespie; he's the richest man she
knows"
81 swear to you that she shall not
marry Gillespie!"
She would do it to annoy me If for
nothing else"
I took both her hands-they were
like rose-leaves. those dear slightly
tremulous hands!
Now, Miss Pat-Tm going to call
you Miss Pat because we're such old
friends, and we're just contemporaries.
anyhow-now. Miss Pat, Helen is not
half so wicked as she thinks she is.
Gillespie and l are on the best of
terms. He's a thoroughly good fellow
and not half the fool he looks. And
he will never marry Helen!"
Il should like to know what's going
to prevent her from marrying HIM"
she demanded as stepped back and
turned to go.
"Oh. am, II you must know! I
have every intention Of marrying her
myself"
ran away from the protest that
was faltering upon her lips. and strobe
through the garden. had just
reached Glenarm gate on my way back
to the boathouse when a woman's
voice called softly and Sister Marga-
ret hurried round turn of the garden
path.
"Mr. Donovan!"
There was anxiety in the voice. and
more anxious still was Sister Marga-
rets face AZ she came toward me in
her brown habit. her hands clasped
tensely before her. She had evidently
been watching for me. and drew back
from the gate into quiet recess Of
the garden. Her usual repose was
gone and her face, under its white
Golf, showed plainly her distress.
II have had news-Miss Helen has
gone! I'm afraid something has hap
pened to her."
Margaret. When did you miss herr"
! asked, quietly; but confess that
was badly shaken. My confident talk
about the girl with Miss Pat but
moment before echoed ironically in
my memory
She did not come down for break
fast with her aunt or me, but thought
nothing OF It, as I have urged both OF
them to breakfast upstairs. Miss Pa
tricia went out for walk. An hour
ago I tried Helen's door and found It.
unlocked and her room empty. When
or how she left don't know. She
seems to have taken nothing with
her"
Can you tell a lie Sister Mar.
garrett"
She stared at me with SO shocked an
air that ] laughed. "A lie in a good
cause, ! mean? Miss Pat must not
know that her niece has gone--if she.
has gone! She has probably taken
one Of the canoes for morning pad
die: or. we will assume that she has
borrowed one Of the Glenarm horses,
as she has every right to do, for
morning gallop. and that she has lost
her way or gone farther than she in
tended. There are a thousand expla-
nations!"
But they hardly touch the fact that
she was gone all night; or that a
strange man brought a note addressed
in Helen's handwriting to her aunt
only an hour ago"
kidnapped! I laughed aloud
as the meaning Of her disappearance
flashed upon me!
81 don't like your way Of treating
this matter!" said Sister Margaret ici-
ly. "The girl may die before she can
be brought back"
mo, she won't-my word for 1t. Sis
ter Margaret. Please give me the
letter."
But It is not for you!"
"Oh, yes. 1t is! You wouldn't have
Miss Pat subjected to the shock Of
demand for ransom. Worse than that,
Miss Pat has little enough faith in
Helen as It is: and such a move as
this would be final. This kidnapping Is
partly designed as punishment for
me. and I propose to take care Of 1t
without letting Miss Pat know. She
shall never know"
Sister Margaret. only half convinced,
drew an envelope from her girdle and
gave It to me doubtful1y. glanced
at the superscription and then tore It
across, repeating the process until It
was a mass Of tiny particles. which
poured into Sister Margaret's hands.
Burn them! Now Miss Pat will I'M
doubtedly ask for her niece at once.