Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-03-24
CHAPTER xVlli-continued.

"Ihey were sent 10 SL. Agatha ny
Father Stoddard, an old friend of
mine. They had suffered many annoy
ances, to put it mildly, and came here
to get away from their troubles"
yes; l understand. Uncle Henry
has acted outrageously. | have not
ranged the country at night for moth
ing. l have even learned few things
from YOU" she laughed. And you
must continue to serve Aunt Patricia
and my cousin. You see"-and she
smiled her grave smile-"my father
and | are an antagonistic element"
NO; not as between you and Miss
Patricia! I'm sure of that. 1t is Henry
Holbrook that l am to protect her
from. You and your father do not en-
ter into it."
IF you don't mind telling me, Mr..
Donovan, | should like to know
whether Aunt Pat has mentioned us"
Only once, when | first saw her
and she explained why she had come.
She seemed greatly moved when she
spoke of your father. Since then she
has never referred to him. But the
day we cruised up to Battle Orchard
and Henry Holbrook's man tried to
smash our launch, she was shaken out
of herself, and she declared war when
we got home. Then | was on the lake
with her the night of the carnival.
| Helen did not go with us. And when
you padded by us, Miss Pat was quite
disturbed at the sight of you; but she
thought 1t was an illusion, and
thought it was Helen!"
Il have been home only few weeks,
but came just in time to be with ia
Their in his troubles. My uncle's en-
nifty is very bitter, as you have seen.
/ do not understand it. Father has
told me little of their difficulties; but
/ know, she said, lifting her head
proudly, Il know that my father has
done nothing dishonorable. He has
told me so, and l am content with
that"
bowed, not knowing what to say.
81 have been here only once OF
twice before, and for short visits only
Most of the time have been at a con
vent in Canada, where l was known as
Rosalind Hartridge. Rosalind, you
know, is really my name; was named
for Helen's mother. The sisters took
pity on my loneliness, and were very
kind to me. But now am never go
ing to leave my father again."
She spoke with no unkindness OF
bitterness, but with a gravity born Of
deep feeling. l marked now the lighter
timbre Of her voice, that was quite diff
ferent from her cousins; and she
spoke more rapidly, as she had said
her naturally quick speech catching al
times the cadence of cultivated
French. And she was a simpler ma
ture-I felt that; she was really very
unlike Helen.
you manage canoe pretty we'll,
/ ventured, still studying her face, hel
voice, her ways, eagerly.
THAT was very foolish, wasn't it,
my running in behind the procession
that way!" and she laughed softly a
the recollection. But that was pro
fessional pride! That was one of m,
fathers best canoes, and he helped m,
to decorate it. He takes a great de
light in his work; it's all he has left
And l wanted to show those people a
Port Annandale what really fine ca
noe-a genuine Hartridge-was like
did not expect to run into you o
Aunt Pat"
You should have gone on an
claimed the prize. 1t was yours @
right. When your star vanished
thought the world had come to a.
end"
1T hadn't, you see. put out tn
lights so that l could get home ur
SEEN"
you gave us shock Please don
,, do 1t again; and please, If you an
your cousin are to meet, kindly let it b
on solid ground I'm a little afrait
, even now, that you are lady c
! dreams"
mot bit of It! l enjoy a SCUM
. appetite; / can carry a canoe like
J Canadian guide; am as good fence
:. as my father; and I'm not afraid {
the dark. You see how very highly a,
complished ! am! Now, my cousi
Helen"
J WELL" and l was glad to hea
her happy laugh. Sorrow and lionel
! ness had not stified the spirit of mi
chief in her, and she enjoyed vexin