The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-01-01

happened seldom nowadays, nearly all
the boarders had engagements else
where. AS step preliminary to her
diplomacies, she te1ephoned to MCGEE
and made with him ap appointment far
from the office. Then she approached
Betsy-Barbara
"It's asking lot OF you, my dear.
she said, but I've been SO busy gettin'
this place shook together that l
haven't had time to mind my own af-
fairs. I've a cousin in town an | jest
haven't had time TO pay her any at
tention. Miss Estrilla is kind of nerv-
Gus tonight, an | hate to leave her
alone until her brother comes-any-
how, he misses some evenings. Just
sit by her-an' II he shows up you
don't have to do even that"
Betsy-Barbara accepted the new re-
sponsibility
I'D love it" she said almost cheer
fully Constance is going to try to
get-some sleep tonight, and I'll put her
to bed right after dinner, And I've
been dying to meet Miss Estrilla."
Miss E.strilia's appearance appealed
at once to BetsyBarbara's quick sym
pathies. Her eyes were shaded;
further she wore heavy colored glass
cs.. She was a rather tall and slender
woman, Betsy-Barbara decided. There
was a kind of exquisite shyness about
her which blended perfectly with
punctilious Spanish courtesy She
spoke English without a trace OF her
brothers. amusing roll
Detsy-Barbara. when the ice was
broken, chartered girl-fashion on the
events OF the day In the boarding
house, avoiding always the subject OF
the tragedy which had drawn them to-
gether. I've brought up the evening
paper" she said, wouldn't you like to
have me read it to you? There's
splendid elopelnent in high life"
Il should like it very much" replied
Miss Estrilla, after a pause at which
Betsy Barbara wondered.
Betsy-Barbara read the headlines
and rendered III full the stories which
Miss Estrilla Indicated She was alb
sorbed in the account OF splendld
burglary. when knock sounded at the
door. And Estrilla entered.
AS he recognized her with bow OF
inimitable attention and courtesy, as
he crossed the room and tenderly
kissed his sister. Betsy-Barbara had
somehow, the feeling that she was
meeting stranger. For the first time
at any rate, she GE2cTssssd him &c
herself. He was small-but she had
always noticed that obvious fact. LOOK
| ing at the figure on the bed, one wouiC
have called the sister the taller of the
two. He was nevertheless perfectly
! formed He had q plume Of black hail
| which glimmered in the gaslight with
a dusky reflection of Betsy-Barbara'
native gold-and-satin turban.
/ She sat FOR I've minutes, while broth
| or and sister made her the focus o.
their conversation But she was no
amused. la the presence of his sis
ter. Estrilla appeared a different mar
from the fight fencer with words o
their evenings downstairs. He was
grave: he was formal. It was puz
zling, but a little fascinating. tins
change.
In five minutes more, Betsy-Barbar;
summoned tact to the aid of manners
and maiden Inodesty. She invented al
excuse to shield herself against Span
ish Doliteness. ard left EstrItta bow
ing grayely at the threshold.
The house seemed deserted. 1t wa'
too late for yenturfIg forth alone; yet
somehow, she must exercise the vague
black visions which began to SURROUND
her-she who must keep courage TO
two. Also, something which she coul'
not analyZe was stirring disquiet II
her soul.
IF only had some work!" she sal
to herself, and sighed again. SO medl
tating. she wandered aimlessly down
stairs. The doors of the parlor wer
cpen; the lights were on; the baby
grand piano stood open, inviting.
only merry tunes, though, sh
warned herself as she sat down. An
she started the liveliest jig she knew
Presently. she began to sing in he
pleasant unframed voice, which VOL
bled enrrancingly whenever she &c
out Of the middle register. But musi
is the slave of moods. And before sh
was aware, her voice was followin
the strings in old and melancholy low
, songs
Then Bessy-Barbara dropped he
hands from the keys. and the musi
stopped abruptly. She was just aWal
that a fine floating tenor had bee
, humming the part from the doorwa,
: Senior Estriila stood looking down o
: her.
, MY seester has gone to Sleep i
, said. And then, THAT is Scotch son
: is it not? Please go on" Betsy-Ba
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