Willmar tribune., 1909-12-01
CHAPTER xl.-continued.

"Everything's all right at last, Tom,"
he cried. Il don't deserve it, but I'm
down on my knees giving thanks for
1t, just the same,. and If ever he
lowered his voice, looking over my
shoulder at some one who was an.
proaching-"if ever I get any of you
into such a muss again, may I be
hanged! Oh, it's been awful! You'll
never know. But it's over, thank God!
And now it's up to me to make good.
And that's what I'm going to do, old
man. Who is this confounded fellow
coming? wanted to talk with you
minute, but I'll look in after dinner,
if you're to be at home. There's
deal to tell you," and he was off.
An ecclesiastical-looking gentleman
mounted the steps with me, inquiring
for the bishop, while l went in to
Miss Winstanley.
She was flushed and smiling and
bright-eyed.
did you think had forgotten you?
Bless you, no. But there has been
SO much to do. We only left Barbara,
poor child, an hour ago. There were
messages to be sent for her, orders
to countermand, and"
Then she isn't going with him?'
broke in.
"Oh, did you thinks It possible
you gave her credit for so little"
IF she loved him"
She caught me up sharply. "Of
course she didn't love him. l always
told you that, but you would go on in
your stubborn unbelief in my intui-
tions, you foolish, foolish fellow. My,
but she was gallant, though! She had
me almost bewildered at first; but
the moment she found that she could
have done with all pretense and that
her fancied obligation to Ankony was
at an end, then how she changed! It
was pitiful to see her One under
stood the terrific strain she has been
under. I'm not pretending to say
whether or not she cares for you, Mr..
Twining-that's for you to find out for
yourself, you knoW-but think it is
only fair to tell you that she never
has cared for Ankony."
"Thank God!" devoutly murmured.
She patted my arm and made funny
little dabs at her eyes with a dot of
handkerchief.
"She Is going out Of town to stay
with some friends until the storm of
the broken engagement has blown
over, she. told me. They go to-mor-
row, she and Dan. He will stay with
her fortnight, until she is a little re-
covered. for in spite of her wonderful
courage and poise, she is tremendous
ly undone by all this
"And is there nothing"
Nothing just yet," she smiled.
Nov let me tell you what Dan and
I are going to do. You remember that
! have some undeveloped mining prop
erty in Montana. Experts have given
me good deal of encouragement over
it, but have been waiting to find Just
the right man to put at the head Of
the work. And now Dan is to under
take it. Oh"-at my glance-"it isn't
philanthropic scheme. The boy
will give me excellent service. If it is
a good thing for him, it's a better
thing for me. And I'm to 60 out with
him to launch the enterprise. I've
no notion Of being in the way when
nay brother and his wife return"
But your brother can't do without
you. You will always be as necessary
to him as his wife,
Later, perhaps, but not just at
drst," she said. 1--WE don't know
much about honeymoons. you and L,
Mr.. Twining; but I'm sure you'll agree
with me that no man wants even his
beloved sister underfoot at that time.
So Dan and are of in fortnight"
"Good!" I approved; "and if things
don't 60 well with me I'll come along
May II"