Willmar tribune., 1909-12-08


disposed of will detain Mr.. Donovan
a few minutes" said Miss Holbrook.
"Or can come again in an hour-I
am your near neighbor," I remarked,
thinking she might wish to rest from
her journey.
Il am quite ready" she replied, and
bowed to Helen Holbrook and to Sis
ter Margaret, who went out, followed
by the maid. Miss Pat-you will par
don me if begin at once to call her
by this name, but It fits her so CAPT.
tally, it is so much part of her, that
I cannot resist-Miss Pat put of her
bonnet without fuss, placed it on the
table and sat down in a window seat
whence the nearer shore of the lake
was visible across the strip of smooth
lawn.
"Will you please close the door,"
she said, and when l came back to the
window she began at once.
1T is not pleasant, as you must
understand, to explain to a stranger
an intimate and painful family trouble.
But Father Stoddard advised me to be
quite frank with you."
THAT is the best way, If there is a
possibility that l may ee of SERVICE -
I said in the gentlest tone I could
command. But tell me no more than
you wish. I am wholly at your serv-
ice without explanations"
1T is in reference to my brother;
he has caused me a great deal of
trouble. When my father died nearly
ten years ago-he lived to a great
age-he left considerable estate, a
large fortune. A part of it was di-
vided at once among my two brothers
and myself. The remainder, amount
ing to $1,000,000, was left to me, with
the stipulation that I was to make a
further division between my brothers
at the end of ten years, or at my dis.
cretion. l was older than my broth.
ers, much older, and my father left
me with this responsibility, not know.
ing what it would lead to. Henry
and Arthur succeeded to my fathers
business, the banking firm of Hol'
brook Brothers, in New York. The
bank continued to prosper for time };
then it collapsed suddenly. The debts
were all paid, but Arthur disappeared
there were unpleasant rumors-"
She paused moment, and looked
out Of the window toward the lake
and saw her clasped hands tighten:
but she went on bravely.
THAT was seven years ago. Since
then Henry has insisted on the final
division of the property. My father
had a high sense Of honor and he stip
ulated that if either of his sons should
be guilty of any dishonorable act he
should forfeit his half of the $1,000,
900. Henry insists that Arthur has
forfeited his rights and that the
amount withheld should be paid tc
him now: but his conduct has beer
such that I feel should serve him il
to pay him 50 large sum of money
Moreover, owe something to his
daughter-to Helen. Owing to her ia
! theirs reckless life I have had he1
make her home with me for severa
years. She is a noble girl, and very
beautiful-you must have seen, Mr.
Donovan, that she is an unusually
beautiful girl
"Yes," assented.
And better than that" she said
with feeling, 'she is a lovely char
acter."
l nodded, touched to see how com
pletely Helen Holbrook filled and sat
isfied her aunt's life. Miss Pat con
tinued her story.
MY brother first sought to frightel
me into settlement by menacing m!
own peace; and now he includes Hel
en- in his animosity. My house a
Stamford was set on fire q month ago
then thieves entered it and I wa
obliged to leave. We arranged to g
abroad, but when we got to the steam
er we found Henry waiting with
threat to follow US if I did not acced
to his demands. It was Father Stod
dard who suggested this place, AM
we came by circuitous route, paus
ing hare and there to see whether W
were followed. You can imagine hoy
distressing-how wretched all thi
has beep."
Yes; It is a sad story, Miss Hol
brook. But you are not likely to b.