The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1912-07-30

they went TO Europe, and he looked
young and vigorous. He asked for /
one assistant, and I was glad enough
to get on so easily. He was q pleas
ant.faced young fellow. with black
hair and blue eyes. and his name was
Alexander Graham. l have been par
ticular about Alex. because, as I said
before. he played an important part
later.
That afternoon 7 had q new insight
into the character OF the dead banker.
had my nrst conversation with
Louise. She sent for me. and against
my better judgment went
She held out her hand and took
II between both Of mine.
What can ! say TO you. Miss In
nes!" abe said slowly. To have
come like this"
1 thought she was going to break
down. but she did not.
"You are not to think Of anything
but OF getting WELL" l said. patting
her hand. When you are better.
am going to scold you for not coming
here ut once. This IL your home. my
dear. and Of all people In the world.
Halsey's old aunt ought to make you
welcome"
She smiled a little. sadly. I thought.
Il ought not to see Halsey.' she
said. Miss lines. there are a great
many things you will never under.
| stand, I am afraid. am an imposter
on your sympathy. because IL stay
here and let you lavish care on me.
and all the time know you are going
to despise me"
| Nonsense" said briskly. Why.
what would Halsey do to me II ! even
ventured such thing? He IL so biz
and masterful that II dared To be
anything but rapturous over you. he
would throw me out OF a window. In.
deed. he would be quite capable Of H."
| She seemed scarcely to hear my IA.
cetious tone She had eloquent brown
eyes-the Illnesses are fair. and prone
to a grayish- green optic that is better
for use than appearance-and they
seemed now to be clouded with trou
BILE.
Poor Halsey!" she said softly
"Miss lines. l cannot marry him. and
am afraid to tell him. am . COW
ard-a coward"
I sat beside the bed and stared at
her. She was too III to argue with,
and. besides. sick people take queer
fancies.
I'VE will talk about that when you
| sanity
But there are some things ! must
tell YOU" she insisted. You must
wonder how l came here. and why ]
stayed hidden at the lodge. Dear old
Thomas has been almost crazy. Miss
lines. did not know that Sunnyside
was rented. knew my mother wished
to rem. II. without telling my-step-
father, but the news must have
reached her after left. When ]
started east. had only one idea-to
be alone with my thoughts for time.
to bury myself here. Then, must
have taken q cold on the train"
You came east In clothing suitable
for California" / said. "and like all
young girls nowadays. I don't suppose
you wear fiannels." But she was not
listening.
Miss Innes." she said. he's my
stepbrother Arnold gone away?"
what do you mean" asked,
startled. But Louise was literal.
"He didn't come back that night"
she said. and It was so important
that should see him"
II believe he has gone away" ! re-
piled uncertainty. Isn't II something
that we could attend to instead"
But she shook her head. II must do
1t myself" she said DULY.
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and I could hear him coaxing
Liddy for admission to the sick room.
Shall I bring him in?" ! asked
Louise. uncertain what to do The
girl seemed to shrink back among
her pillows at the sound Of his voice.
was vaguely irritated with her;
there are few young fellows like Hal
sey-straightforward honest. and will
ing to sacrifice everything for the one
woman. ] knew one once. more than
80 years ago, who was like that: he
died a long time ago. And sometimes
take out his picture. with its cane
and it's queer silk hat. and look at II.
But OF late years II has grown too
painful; he is always a boy-and l am
an old woman. ! would not bring him
back II could.
Perhaps II was some such mem
DRY that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey." And then took
my sewing and went into the boudior
! beyond. to play proprietx ] did not