Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-12-16

the lady you profess to love, and
causing her great anxiety and distress,
is unworthy of the really good fellow
believe you to be-" .
He was silent for a moment; then
he spoke very soberly.
Il promise you, Donovan. that | will
do nothing to encourage or help Hol-
brook. | know as we'll as you that
he's a blackguard; but my own affairs
| must manage in my own way"
But as surely as you try to mo-
lest those women you will have to an
swer to me. | am not in the habit Of
beginning what never finish, and l
intend to keep those women out OF
your way as well as out of Holbrooks
clutches, and if you get a cracked
head in the business-well, the cracks
in your own skull, Mr.. Gillespie.
He shrugged his shoulders, threw up
his head and turned away down the
road.
There was something about the fell
low that | liked. | even felt certain
pity for him as | passed him and rode
on. He seemed simple and guileless,
but with logged manliness beneath
his absurdities. He was undoubtedly
deeply attached to Helen Holbrook
and his pursuit of her partook OF a
knight quality that would
have appealed to me in other circum-
stances; but he was the most negli-
gible figure that had yet appeared in
the Holbrook affair, and as | put my
horse to the lope my thoughts reverted
to Red Gate. That chess game and
Helen's visit to her father were still
to be explained; If l could cut those
cards out of the pack | should be
ready for something really difficult.
employed myself with such reflections
as l completed my sweep round the
lake, reaching Glenarm shortly after
two o'clock.
was hot and hungry, and grateful
for the cool breath of the house as l
entered the hall.
Miss Holbrook is waiting in the
library" lima announced; and in
moment faced Miss Pat, who stood
in one of the open French windows
looking out upon the wood.
She appeared to be deeply absorbed
and did not turn until l spoke.
81 have waited for some time;
have something of Importance to tell
YOU. Mr. Donovan" she began, seating
, herself.
Yes, Miss Holbrook."
you remember that this morning
ON our way to the chapel, Helen spoke
of our game of chess yesterday"
81 remember perfectly" | replied
and my heart began to pound sudden
ly, for l knew what the next sentence
would be.
Helen was not at st. Agatha's a
j the time she indicated"
well, Miss Pat" l laughed, mis-
; Holbrook doesn't have to account t
n me for her movements. 1t isn't i'm
. portant-"
d why isn't it important" demande
X Miss Pat in sharp tone that was ne'
to me.
why, Miss Holbrook, she is not az
IS countable to me for her actions.
she fibbed about the chess it's sma
y matter"
r. Perhaps it is; and possibly she
e not accountable to me, either"
I'VE must not probe human motive
l too deeply, Miss Holbrook," sal
evasively, wishing to allay her suspi
he ions, if possible. "a young woman
IN entitled to her whims. But now TIL
er you have told me this, suppose ma
ne as we'll know how she accounted
ne you for this trifling deception"
en- "Oh, she said she wished to explo
ON the country for herself; she wished
satisfy herself of our safety; and s.
an didn't want you to think she was RI
tn ming foolishly into danger. She chat
IN. under restraint, and I fear does 4
he wholly sympathize with my runaw
Try tactics. She likes a contest! A
ere sometimes Helen takes pleasure in
in-being perverse. She has an i'd
ult Mr.. Donovan, that you are a We
on. severe person"
lad 81 am honored that she should
.un terrain any opinion of me whateve
cal l replied, laughing.
ave 'And now" said Miss Pat, 81 m
be go back Helen went to her room
I'm. write some letters against time WI
ing it may be possible to commune