The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-05-15
acquaintance, but hardly a rover."

Il nave carried through worse ad. *
ventures. Those documents must not
get nto-into-unfriendly hands! II
have pledged myself that Miss Patricia
shall be kept free from further trouble,
and much trouble lies in those forged
hotes If your brother gets them. But
hope to do little more than protect
your sister; want to get you all out
of your difficulties. There is no rea-
son for your remaining in exile. You
owe it to your daughter to go back to
civilization. And your sister needs
you. You saved your brother once;
you will pardon me for saying that
you owe him no further mercy"
He thrust his hands into his pockets
and paced the floor moment, before
he said:
you are quite right. But am sure
you will be very careful Of my little
girl: she is all have-quite all I
have"
He went to the hall and called her
and bowed with graceful, old-fasl-
toned courtesy that reminded me of
Miss Pat as Rosalind came into the
room.
will do. gentlemen, all?" she
asked, gayly. do I look the fraud l
feel?"
She threw of E. long scarlet cloak
that fell to her heels and stood before
us in white-it was as though she had
stepped out of flame. She turned
slowly round. with head bent. submit.
ting herself for our inspection.
Her gown was perfectly simple, high
at the throat and with sleeves that
clasped her wrists. To my masculine
eyes 1t was Of the same piece and pat
tern as the gown in which I had left
Helen at st. Agatha's an hour before.
II think read doubt in your mind"
she laughed. You must not tell me
now that you have backed out I shall
try IT myself, If You are weakening. I
am anxious for the curtain to rise"
There is only one thing: suggest
that You omit that locket I dined
with her tonight, 80 my memory IN
fresh"
She unclasped the tiny locket that
hung from slight band of velvet at
her throat and threw it aside; and her
father, who was not. I saw, wholly
reconctled TO my undertaking, held the
cloak for her and led the way with a
lantern through the garden and down
to the waterside and along the creek
to the launch where lima was in
readiness. We quickly embarked, and
the launch stole away through the mar
row shores. Holbrook swinging his Ian.
tern back and forth in goodhy. I had
fingered longer at the boat-maker's
than ] intended. and as we neared the
upper lake and the creek broadened
lima sent the launch forward at full
speed. When We approached Battle
Orchard I hade him STOP and hiding
our lantern took an oar and guided
the launch quietly by. Then we went
on into the upper lake al a lively clip.
Rosalind sat quietly in the bow, the
hood of her cloak gathered about her
head.
l was taking steering directions
from Lima. but as we neared Port An.
Mandate I glanced over my shoulder to
mark the casino pier lights when
Rosalind sang out:
Hard aport-hard!"
length Of sailboat. which, showing
no light, but with mainsail set, was
loaflng leisurely before the light west
wind. AS we veered away | saw
mans figure at the wheel; another fig.
ure showed darkly against the cuddy.
Hang out your lights" shouted,
angrily. Hut there was no reply.
Tho Stiletto." muttered lima, start.
ing the engine again.
I'VE must look out for her going
back" said, as we watched the sloop
merge into shadow.
The lights of the casino blazed
cheerily as we drew ,lp to the pier,
and Rosalind stepped out in good
spirits. catching up and humming the
waltz that rang down upon US from
the clubhouse
Lady" I said. "let us see what
lands we shall discover"
II ought to feel terribly wicked, but
I really never felt cheerfuller in my
life" she averred. But I have one
embarrassment"
"Well?"-and we paused, while she
dropped the hood upon her shoulders
What shall call this gentleman
What does she call him? I'm blest
II know call him Buttons usually;
Knight of the Rueful Countenanca
might serve; but very likely she calls
him Reggie"
Il will try them ALL" she said. II
think we used to call him Reggie on
Strawberry Hill. Very likely he will
detect the fraud at once and shan1
get very far with him."
"You shall get as far as you please
Leave 1t to me. He shall see you first
on the veranda overlooking the water
where there are shadows in plenty, and
you had better keep your cloak about
You until the first shock Of meeting
has passed. Then If he wants you to
dance. l will hold the cloak, like q
faithful chaperon. and you may mufle
yourself in It the instant Won come