Willmar tribune., 1909-12-15

though she wished me to confirm her
own impression.
There's no manner Of doubt Of Il
She is Sister Theresa's assistant. II
is inconceivable that she could pos.
sibly interfere in your affairs. be-
lieve you are perfectly safe here in
every way, Miss Holbrook. II at the
end of e week your brother has made
no sign, We shall be reasonably Ger.
tain that he has lost the trail.'
Il believe that il true: and I thank
you very much"
I had come prepared to be disil.
lusioned, to find her charm gone, but
her small figure had even an added
distinction: her ways, her manner an
added grace. I found myself resist
lug the temptation to call her quaint,
as implying too much: yet I felt that
in some olden time, on some noble
estate in England, or, better, in some
storied colonial mansion in Virginia,
she must have had her homo in years
long gone, living on with no increase
of age to this present. She suggested
peace and gentleness and a beautiful
patience: and strove to say amusing
things. that I might enjoy her rare
luminous smile and catch her eyes
when she gave me her direct gaze in
the quick, challenging way that
marked her as a woman Of position
and experience, who had been more
given to command than to obey.
Did you think was never coming,
Aunt Pat? That shore.path calls for
more strenuous effort than l imagined,
and had to change my gown again. /"
Helen Holbrook advanced quickly
and stood by her aunt's chair, nodding
to me smilingly. and while we ex-
changed the commonplaces Of the day,
she caught up Miss Pats hand and
held it a moment caressingly. The
maid now brought the tea, Miss Pat
poured it and the talk went forward
cheerily.
"Oh, Mr.. Donovan" said Helen Hol-
brook, as put down her cup, there
are some letters I should like to write
and wish you would tell me whether
1t Is safe to have letters come for US
to Annandale; or would it be better
to send nothing from here at all? It
does seem odd to have to ask such
a question" and she concluded in a
tone OF distress and looked at me an.
pealingly.
I'VE must take no risks whatever,
Helen" remarked Miss Pat, decisively.
Does no one know where you
are" I inquired Of Miss Patricia.
my lawyer, in New York, has the
name Of this place, sealed; and he
put IL away In a safety box and
promised, not to open it unless some
thing of very great importance hap
pened."
1T is best to take no chances" I
said; so should answer your ques-
tion in the negative, Miss Holbrook.
In the course of a few weeks every.
thing may seem much clearer; and in
the meantime it will be wiser not to
communicate with the outer world"
"They deliver mail through the
country here, don't they?" asked Hell
en-. 1T must be great luxury for the
the farmers to have the post-oftice at
their very DOORS"
Eyes, but the school and Mr.. Glen.
arm always send for their own mail
to Annandale.'
"Our mail is all going to my law.
yer" said Miss Pat, "and it must wait
until we can have 1t sent to us with
out danger"
Certainly, Aunt Pat" replied Hell
en-, readily. Il didn't mean to give
Mr.. Donovan the impression that my
correspondence was enormous: but It
is odd to be shut up in this way and
not to be able to do az one likes in
such little matters"
1t was time for mo to leave and I
picked up my hat and stick. AS I
started away I was aware that Helen
Holbrook detained me without in the
least appearing to do 30. following a
few steps to gain, as she said, q Ger.
tain view Of the lake that was par.
ttcularly charming.
There is nothing rugged in this
landscape, but 1t Is delightful In its
very tranquility" she said az we
loitered on. the shimmering lake be-
fore US, the wood behind ablaze with
the splendor Of the sun. She spoke of
the beauty Of the beeches, which are
OK noble girth In this region. and