The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-01-07

the lazy 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
II promise you, Donovan. that will
do nothing to encourage or help Hol-
brook l know as well as you that
he's blackguard; but my own affairs
l 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. 1 am not in the habit Of
beginning what never finish, and
intend to keep those women out Of
your way as we'll as out Of Holbrook's
clutches, and If you get 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
Ous I1O SOCl1OA oAAAPAS 1uu 6uAASASooS
but with a logged manliness beneath
his absurdities. He was undoubtedly
deeply attached to Helen Holbrook
and his pursuit of her partook Of a
knight-errantish 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 I should be
ready for something really difficult.
employed myself with such reflections
as completed my sweep round the
lake, reaching Glenarm shortly after
two o'clock.
1 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 a
moment l 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 spoke.
II have waited for some time; l
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"
II remember perfectly" l replied;
and my heart began to pound sudden
ly, for l knew what the next sentence
would be.
Helen was not at st. Agathas at
the time she indicated"
We'll, Miss Pat" l laughed, Miss
Holbrook doesn't have to account to
me for her movements. It isn't i'm.
portant-"
why isn't it important" demanded
Miss Pat in sharp tone that was new
to me.
"Why, Miss Holbrook, she is not ac-
.countable to me for her actions. If
she fibhed about the chess it's small
matter
Perhaps it is; and possibly she is
not accountable to me, either"
I'VE must not probe human motives
too deeply, Miss Holbrook," 1 said,
evasively, wishing to allay her suspic.
ions. if possible. "a young woman is
entitled to her whims. But now that
you have told me this. suppose may
as well know how she accounted. to
you for this trifing deception"
"Oh, she said she wished to explore
the country for herself; she wished to
satisfy herself Of our safety; and she
didn't want you to think she was run.
ming foolishly into danger. She chafes
under restraint, and l fear does not
wholly sympathize with my runaway
tactics. She likes a contest! sAnd
sometimes Helen takes pleasure in
being perverse. She has an idea
Mr.: Donovan, that you are a very
severe person" y,
Il am honored that she should en-
terrain any opinion OF me whatever
:Isnpiied, laughing.
And now, said Miss Pat, II must
30 back. Helen went to her room to
write some letters against a time when
i may be possible to communicate