Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-02-02
CHAPTER Vill.-continued.

barricade at the same tlme, l ven
tured boldly.
''That does require some ingenuity
she replied, musingly, "but I am very
flexible character"
"But what will bend will break-you
may carry the game too far
ooh, are you tired of it already?"
"Not a bit of it; but I should like
to make this stipulation with you:
That as you and seeya to be pitted
against each other in this little con-
test, we shall fight it all out behind
Miss Pats back. I prefer that she
shouldn't know what "a" and I hes
itated.
ooh, give me name, won't your
she pleaded, mockingly.
What beautiful deceiver you
are!"
"splendid! We will agree that 1 am
a deceiver!"
IF it gives you pleasure! You are
welcome to all the joy you can get out
of it!''
please don't be bitter! Let us play
fair, and not stoop to abuse"
II should think you would feel con-
trite enough after that ugly business
Of this afternoon. You didn't appear
to be even annoyed by that Italians
effort to smash the launch"
She was silent for an instant; I
heard her breath come and go quickly;
when she responded with what seemed
a forced lightness:
"You really think that was inspired
by" she suddenly appeared at q
loss.
by Henry Holbrook, as you know
well enough. And if Miss Pat should
be murdered through his enmity, don't
you see that your position in the mat
ter would be difficult to explain? Muir
der, my dear young woman, is not
looked upon complacently, even in this
remote corner of the world"
"You seem given to the use OF
strong language, Mr.. Donovan. Let us
drop the calling of names and consider
just where you put me-"
Il don't put you at all; you have
taken your own stand. But I will say
that I was surprised, not to say
panied, to find that you played the
eavesdropper the very hour you came
to Annandale."
A moments silence; the water muir
INJURED in the reeds below; an owl
hooted in the Glenarm wood! rest.
less bird chirped from it's perch in a
maple overhead.
ooh, to be sure!" she said at last,
You thought I was listening while
Aunt Pat unfolded the dark history OF
the Holbrooks."
Il knew it, though I tried to be.
Ieve I was mistaken. But when ]
saw you there on Tippecanoe creek,
meeting your father at the canoe-ma.
ker's house, I was astounded; did
not know that depravity could 20 50
far
my poor, unhappy, unfortunate ia,
ther!" she said in a low voice; there
was almost moan in it.
II suppose you defend your conduct
on the ground of f1lial duty" I sug.
gested, finding it difficult to be severe,
"Why shouldn't I? Who are you to
Judge our affairs? We are the unhap.
piest family that ever lived: but ]
should like you to know that it was
not by my wish that you were brought
into our councils. There is more in
all this than appears!"
"There is nothing in it but Miss Pat
her security, her peace, her happf.
ness. I am pledged to her, and the
rest of you are nothing to me. But
you may tell your father that 1 have
been in rows before and that propose
to stand by the guns.'
II shall deliver your message, Mr.
Donovan; and I give you my fathers
thanks for it," she Knocked.
"Your father calls you Rosalind-
before strangers! remarked.
Eyes. It's fancy of his" she muir.
INJURED, lingeringly. Sometimes it's
Viola, or Perdita, but, as I think of it.
it's oftener Rosalind. hope you don't
object, Mr.. Donovan?"
''No, rather like it; it's in keeping
with your variable character. You
seem prone, like Rosalind, to wood
land wandering. dare say the other
people Of the cast will appear in due
season. So far I have seen only the
Fool"
"The Fool? Oh, yes; there was
Touchstone, wasn't there?"
IT believe it is admitted that there
was"
She laughed; I felt that We were
bound to get on better, now that we
understood each other.
'*''You are rather proud Of yoaf 1t