Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1914-05-22
CHAPTER vI.-contlnued.

CHAPTER Vl.-ContInued.
Sara and Hetty did not stay long in
town. The newspapers announced the
return of Challis Wrandalls widow
and reporters sought her out for inter
views. The old interest was revived
and columns were printed about the
murder at Burton's inn, with sharp
editorial comments on the failure of
the police to clear up the mystery.
81 shall ask Leslie down for the
weekend" said Sara, the third day
after their arrival in the country. The
house was huge and lonely, and time
hung rather heavily despite the glori-
Gus uplift of spring.
Hetty looked up quickly from her
book A look of dismay f1ickered in
her eyes for an instant and then gave
way to the calmness that had come to
dwell in their depths of late. Her lips
parted in the sudden impulse to cry
out against the plan, but she checked
the words. For a moment her dark,
questioning eyes studied the face of
her benefactress then, as if nothing
had been revealed to her, she allowed
her gaze to drift pensively out toward
the sunset sea.
They were sitting on the broad
verandah overlooking the sound. The
dusk of evening was beginning to steal
bver the earth. She laid her book
aside.
will you telephone in to him after
dinner, Hetty?" went on Sara, after
long period of silence.
Again Hetty started. This time a
look of actual pain flashed in her eyes.
Would not note by post be more
certain to find him in the" she be-
gan hurriedly.
81 dislike writing notes." said Sara
calmly. "Of course, dear, If you feel
that you'd rather not telephone him,
l can"
81 dare say am finicky, Sara" apol
ogized Hetty in quick contrition. "Of
course he is your brother. l should
remem-"
MY brother-in-law, dear" said Sara,
trife too literally.
HE will come often to your house."
went on Hetty rapidly. 81 must make
the best of it."
"He is your friend, Hetty. He ad-
mires you"
81 cannot see him through your
eyes, Sara"
But he Is charming and agreeable,
you'll admit" persisted the other.
HE is very kind, and he is devoted
to you. I should like him for that"
you have no cause for disliking
him"
Il do not dislike him. II am-Oh,
you always have been so thoughtful,
40 consderate, Sara, can't under
stand your failing to see how hard it
is for me to-to-well, to endure his
bpen-hearted friendship"
Sara was silent for moment. you
draw pretty fine line, Hetty," she
said gently.
Hetty flushed. you mean that
there is little to choose between wife
and brother? That isn't quite fair.
You know everything, he knows moth
Ing. ! wear a mask for him; you have
seen into the very heart of me. 1t
isn't the same"
Sara came over and stood beside the
girls chair. After a moment of indie
cision she laid her hand on Hetty's
shoulder. The girl looked up, the ever
recurring question in her eyes.
1--WE haven't spoken of-of these
things in many months, Hetty.'
Not since Mrs Wrandall and WV
Ian came to Nice. / was upset-dread-
fully upset then, Sara. / don't know
how l managed to get through with
IT.
But you managed it." pronounced
Sara. Her fingers seemed to tighten
suddenly on the girls shoulder. Il
think we were quite wonderful, both
of us. 1t wasn't easy for me-"
why did we come back to New
York, Sara?" burst out Hetty, clasp
Ing her friends hand as if suddenly
spurred by terror. 1--WE were happy
over there. And free!"
Listen, my DEAR" said Sara, a
hard note growing in her voice: this
is my home. l do not love it, but
can see no reason for abandoning it
That is why we came back to New
York"
Hetty pressed her friends hand to
ner lips. Forgive me-" she cried i'm
pulsively. Il shouldn't have com
complained. 1t was detestable."
Besides" went on Sara evenly
you were quite free to remain on the
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