Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1910-04-15


l shall tell her nothing"
"But"-Henry glanced ~uneasily from
Gillespie to me-"Gillespie's notes.
They are here among you somewhere.
You shall not give them to Pat. If
she knew"
If she knew you would O get a
cent" l said, wishing him to know
that | knew.
He whirled upon me hotly.
You tricked Helen to get them, and
now, by God! l want them! l van
them" And he struck at me crafty.
| knocked his arm away, but he flung
himself upon me. clasping me with
his arms. | caught his wrists and held
him for a moment. l wished to be
done with him and off to Glenarm with
Arthur; and he wasted time.
Il have that packet you Sent Helen
to GET have it-still unopened! Your
secret is as safe with me, Mr.. HOl-
brook, as that other secret Of yours
with you Italian b~Ody-guard."
His face went white, then gray, and
he would have fallen if l had not kept
hold of him.
l was beside myself with rage and
lLIlpdClSuJ ludI lulc HluSJ Dt "dSl0u
on him. did not hear steps on the
deck, or Gillespie's quick warning, and
l had begun again, still holding Henry
HolbrOok close to me with n hand.
we eXpect to deceive your sister
we will lie to her-lie to her-lie to
her
For Gods sake, stop" cried Arthur
HOlbrook, clutching my arm.
l flung round and faced Miss Pat
and ROsalind. They stood for a mo
ment in the doorway; then Miss Pat
advanced slowly toward us where we
formed a little semi-circle, and as l
dropped Henry's wrists the brothers
stood side by side. Arthur took a step
forward, half murmuring his sisters
name; then he drew back and waited.
his lead bowed, his hands thrust into
the side pockets Of his coat. In the
dead quiet | heard the babble of the
creek outside, and when Miss Pat
spoke her voice seemed to steal off
and mingle with the subdued murmUr
of the stream.
"Gentlemen, what is it you wish to
lie tO me abOut?"
A brave little smile played about
Miss Pats lips. She stood there in
the light of The candles, all in white
as | had left her on the terrace of
Gienarm, in her ace cap with only a
light shawl about her shoulders. l
felt that the situation might yet be
saved, and | was about to speak when
Henry, with some wild notion of JUS
tifying himself, broke out stridently:
.VCc. +Snv -oDoD+ 70 10 1.oIP
They plotted against me and bounded
me when | wished to see you peace
ably and to make amends. They have
now charged me with murder; they
are ready to swear away my honor,
my life. | am glad you are here that
you may see for yourself how they
are against me-"
Yes; father speaks the truth, as
Mr.. Donovan can tell YOU"
| could have sworn that it was Rosa
lind who spoke; but there by Rosa
lind's side in the doorway too Helen.
Her head was lifted, and she faced us
all with her figure tense, her eyes
blazing. ROsalind drew away Il little,
and l saw Gillespie touch her hand.
1t was as though a quicker sense thar
sight had on the instant undeceived
him; but he did not look at Rosalind;
his eyes were upon the angry girl
who was about to speak again. Miss
Pat glanced about, and her eyes rested
on me.
Larry, what were the lies you were
scing to tell me?" she asked, and
smiled again.
They were about father; he wished
to involve him in dishonor. But he
shall not, he shall not" cried Helen.
is that true, Larry?" asked Miss
Pat.
L have done the best I could" l
replied evasively.
Miss Pat scrutinized us all slowly as
though studying our faces for the
truth. Then she repeated:
But if either of my said sons shall
have been touched by dishOnOr through
his W act, as honor is accounted,
reckoned and valued among men
and ceased abruptly, looking from Ar
thur to Henry. What was the truth
about Giliespie?" she asked.
And Arthur would nave spoken. l
saw the word that would have saved
his brother formed upon his lips.
Miss Pat alone eemed unmOyed; |
saw her and open and shut at her
side rs she controlled herself, but her
fac" was calm and her voice was
steady when she turred appealingly 70
the canOe-maker.
What is the truth, Arthur" she
asked, quietly.
Why go INTO this now? Why not
let bygones be ?"-and for a
moment l thought mad checked the
swift current. 1t was Helen | wished
to "a now. from herself, from the
avalanche she seemed doomed to bring
dow upon her head.
CTO BE Concluded