Montpelier examiner., 1910-02-04

"Mrs. Dimes will not like coming
across to meet with failure" ne re-
marked. Il wish it might be spared
her. l also wish l knew how to ease
the situation all around. Have you
suggestion"
"A good idea ] think l shall adopt
the situation all around. Have you a
SUGGESTION"
Il only know what | should do un-
der similar circumstances" l declared,
trying not to smile broadly.
Would you mind telling me what it
is?" he asked.
Not at all: but it is, or course,
nothing that you would consider"
Il am not so sure. Suppose you let
me hear it,
Il should resort to-absence.~ said
It,"
Il don't wish to seem false to YOU
sister. ! am her friend in all things,
you understand. but surely"
Have no sense of dislo. a'.y hIf
Twining," he urged, with his old smile
IF my sister were thoroughly con-
versant with affairs, she would not
think of pressing SO preposterous
plan for my marital disposal. and in
any case, what Mrs Dimes has asked
would be impossible But as Henri
eta really got me into this, | think
she may get ME out. 1t is only fair,
isn't it? However. | didn't come here
to bother you with this affair. am
ant Yt1is set hty, ste ~ CIs
to come to see her as soon as II con-
veniently can. | think she wishes to
consult you about matter of busi-
ness, perhaps. She did not tell me-"
Il shall go. at once"
"Oh, it isn't so important as that.
Since | think of it, however. she did
seem a little eager"
Il am free for the hour"
That's very good of you. | am
greatly obliged to you for your ex.
cellent suggestion. One would think
you had had some experience yourself
in similar situations"
And he smilingly departed.
l went at once to Miss Winstanley.
From an upper window she must have
she ran down the stairs quite like a
little girl, and led me into her sitting
room, closing the door carefully be-
hind us. She had letter in her hand,
and as she extended it to me, | recog-
nized the bold chirography of Mrs.
Anson Dimes.
Clearly | was to have both sides OF
this most interesting story.
Miss Winstanley was trembling
with excitement and her eyes shone.
l could see that she was joyous in her
eagerness and anticipation, and | had
not till then realized how much she
had set her heart on the ridiculous
marriage which she and Mrs. Dimes
had planned for her amiable brother.
Read it," she cried, as she thrust
the letter at me-
Expecting to read of the bishop
was dumbfounded at Mrs. Dimes brief
lines.
Il shall be in America on the heels
of my letter." she wrote. II am CON-
ing to stop the marriage of Edward
Ankony and Barbara Hemingway. It
must not take place. l shall come to
you at once. | sail on the Cambria,
the 25th"
looked up at Miss Winstanley, and
for moment we stared at each other
She sat In low chair in front of me,
swinging forward in it, crushing her
stiff black skirts in the embrace of
her tense little arms.
Welt" cried she
What does she mean?" exclaimed.
DO you understand"
Not at all" she admitted promptly.
That's why sent for you. This came
last night, and couldn't sleep for
thinking of it and trying to make it
out. But l can't; so l gave it up and
sent for you. You see what possibili-
ties 1t opens"
They were indeed almost painful in
their strength and suggestion
"One thing is certain" she went
on; Hannah Dimes is not the woman
to cross the sea to no purpose She
knows what she is about The mo.
ment / had news of Barbaras engage.
ment, wrote her, knowing that, as an
old friend of the family, she would be
greatly interested. This is her reply"
And you have no explanation-does
she dislike Ankony?"
81 never heard her mention him. I
think she hardly knows him"
"She is fond of Barbara?"
"Oh, immensely So She must know
something