The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-05-30
CHAPTER discontinued.


have not talked with your father-that
you have not seen him here?" l be-
sought.
1t was by accident. 1t was quite by &C.
cident."
Yes; l know of that"
Then you have been spying upon
me, Mr.. DonOvan!"
why did you tell me that outrage
ously foolish tale about your chess
game. when l knew exactly where you
we're at the very hour you would have
had me think you we're dutifully en-
gagged with your aunt? 1t seems to
me. my dear Miss Holbrook, that that
Is not SO easy OF explanation. even to
my poor wits
That was without purpose: really
1t was! l was restless and weary from
so much confinement: you can't know
how dreary these late years have been
for us-for me-and I wished just
once to be free. l went for q long
walk into the country. And II you
saw me. II you watched me-"
l gazed at her blankly The thing
could not have been better done on
the stage: but Miss Pat was walking
toward us. and l put an end to the
talk
Il came upon him by accident-I
had no idea he was here" she per-
sisted.
you are not growing tired OF u.s."
began Miss Pat, with her brave. beau
tiful smile: you are not anxious to be
rid of us?"
Il certainly am not" replied. II
can't tell you how glad am that you
have decided to remain here. I am
quite sure that with q little patience
We shall wear out the besiegers. Our
position here has, you may say. the
strength Of its weakness. think the
policy of the enemy IL to harass you
BY guerrilla methods-to annoy you
and brighten you into submission"
Yes; believe you are right" she
said slowly. Helen had walked on,
and loitered beside Miss Pat.
Il hope You have had no misgivings,
Miss Pat, since our talk yesterday"
None whatever" she replied, quick
~. Il am quite persuaded in my own
mind that l should have been better
on II had made stand long ago. 1
don't believe cowardice ever pays, do
your"
She smiled up at me in her quick,
bright way, and l was more than ever
her slave.
Miss Holbrook. you are the bravest
woman In the world! believe you are
right. think should be equal to ten
thousand men with your spirit to put
heart into me-"
Don't be foolish" she said, laugh
Ing. But to show you that am not
really afraid. suppose you offer to take
us for drive this evening. | think 1t
would be we'll for me to appear to-day,
just to show the enemy that we are
not driven to cover by our little ad-
venture in the launch yesterday"
Certainly! Shall we carry out
riders and = rear guard?"
mot . bit OF 1t. l think we may be
able to shame my brother out of his
evil intentions by our defenselessness.
We waited for Helen to rejoin US,
and tho drive was planned for flve.
Promptly on the hour. after \ day Of
activity on my part In cruising the
lake. looking for signs of the enemy.
We set forth In an opeA trap, and
plunged into country roads that trav-
ersed territory new to all OF us. car
ried lima along. and when. after =
few miles, Helen asked to take the
reins, l changed seats with her, and
gave myself up to talk with Miss Pat.
The girls mood was grave, and she
wished to drive. fancied. as an ex-
cuse for silence. The land rolled grad
ually away into the south and west,
and We halted. in an hour or 80, far
from the lake. on = wooded eminen &c
that commanded = long sweep in every
direction, and drew into the roadside.
lima opened gate that admitted US
to superb maple grove. and in q few
minutes We were having tea from the
hamper In the cheeriest mood In tina
world. The sun was contrivins new
marvels In the west. and the wood
that dipped lakeward beneath AZ gave
an Illusion of thick tapestry to the
we