The Washington times., 1913-10-09
CHAPTER l.
<<YT is heavenly up here; I simply
love 1t for the shooting"

CHAPTER /.
<rYT is heavenly up here; I simply
love 1t for the shooting"
i Mrs. Goodall spoke with sus-
picious enthusiasm and threw
back her little blond head. sitting a
yawn thoroughly and daintily.
But how you can endure 1t month
after month, with scarcely a soul to
speak to, is more than I can under
stand"
''Dysart revels in the solitude and
perfect quiet. 1t helps him to con-
centrate more fully On his researches
and studies, Lucille"
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, looked far out
over the placid blue expanse of the
lake, but her eyes were clouded and
troubled belying her tranquil tone.
"Yes. but you" exclaimed Lucille
A7oodaI. leaning forward and drop
ping her embroidery frame in her
? lisp.
I'VE don't come until September,
and we're your only neighbors for
miles and miles. You never have
guests until the open season. do you?"
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, shook her
head
We'll, and here you are alone, with
Dysart buried in his books. and no
one 10 speak to fer weeks on end but
the servants and guides, unless Robin
runs up for a day or two. It's posi-
lively unnatural for a young woman
as pretty as you are. Victoria, to be
hidden away for half the year like
this. and pretend to like it,
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, rose and walk
ed to the veranda railing, where she
stood leaning against a pillar. her
snoulder turned to the other woman.
I'm not pretending, Lucille" she
replied. patiently.
'It pleases Dysart. That alone would
content me. Eut I do really like to
be hidden away like this, as you ex-
press it.
Il adore the big woods I'm never
bored. Each day brings me fresh joy
in it all l dread the open season,
for though 1t brings my friends to
me, it means the death of so many
beautiful, shy, new companions.
"Oh, Lucille, see. There's a moose
swimming the lake ever SO far out
>~N AA'S oAo liiC ripple 1Ol-
lowing his wake. Poor fellow, he
little knows how soon a menace will
lurk for him in every shadow of his
deep, free forest I am childish about
1t, / suppose. but it makes me in
describahly sad"
Mrs. Goodall sat upright
II isn't childish-it's worse 1 do be-
heve, Victoria you are growing NOR
bid! You're altogether too young and
happy to have such thoughts"
She rose suddenly and approached her
friend.
You are happy. aren't you?' she
asked
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, look at her and
then swiftly away
Why, of course!" she responded, hur-
riedly. Whatever made you ask such
question. you funny littel person?
Why shouldn't 1 be happy? Haven't
1 Dysart, and everything in the world
could wish?'
Il should think SO. And yeti don't
know" remarked Lucille, slowly.
Forgive me. dear, but you do seem
changed somehow. I've noticed 1t ever
since we came. You seemed repressed;
as If you were terribly anxious or wor-
ried about something, and We're trying
not to show it.
I'm not curious, but we are such
good friends hoped you would not mis-
understand II I spoke of it. Is it any,
thing 1 can help you about?"
Victoria turned and kissed her lightly
My dear. how serious you arer' she
cried. Fancy your noticing. / am a
little worried about something, but II
really isn't Of any account.
1T is stupid, but Dysart has always
ben so generous with me that l actual
ly dread telling him I've exceeded NV
allowance. I want some more money.
and / haven't the courage to face his
mild surprise, particularly as-as 1 can
not tell him what want il for"
Money!" Lucille opened wide ewes.
Il don't see what on earth You can do
with it up here in the backwoods. But
why. Victoria, owe you over $500.
Don't You remember when we totaled
up our bridge score just before you left
town in the spring.
"Oh, Lucille, no, couldn't
You simply must / can't wheedle
Enother penny out of Bertram just
then. but I've got heaps now: haven't
begun to spend my allowance, first Wis
iting Bertie's people. and then yachting
Money just slips through my fingers
IN town, but UP here il burns a hole
in-in my check book. Do you still
bank at the Universal. where ] do! If
lou have = check. / can write il out
now"
Lucille. Id forgotten all about it