The state herald., 1916-02-25
CHAPTER VI.
Twin Stan,

Twin stars.
Another week has passed, and the
police still report mo progress" on
the Wade-Hanska murder case. now q
back number with tho newspapers-a
story laid aside. The week has been
equally quiet at the select boarding
house maintained by Rosalie Le
GranSe-a quiet overlain with gloom
and yet illuminated with human sym
pathy and even gaisty.
Out Of the shadows twinkle two
stars-Betsy- Barbara and Tommy
North. Rosalis in Jest. and Professor
Noll in earnest, call Betsy-Barbars
the little household fairy Engaged
though she 10 In . tragic guardianship.
she IL also young and sprightly and .
village girl fresh to the wonder Of
New York. Rosalis 10 the quiet force,
but Bstsy-Barbara the visible focus.
which draws them all together. She
asks counsel Of Miss Harding and Miss
Jones on her autumn clothes. In her
spare moments she sews industriously
with Rosalie Le Grange-dropping
meantime those condolences which
fiow at sewing.bees. The orphan OF n
country clergyman and q schoolmis-
treas. she has at her nngerups all the
arts OF play. Whenever the household
stays In Of nights. she gathers them
together over hearts or bridge; when
cards grow stale. she IL capable OF
getting contagious fun out OF charades
or ana&rams.
More and more the boarders take to
staying At homo. This charming life
domestic 10 . novelty In New York, II
seems: they rsvel In the fad. Mr.. Es.
trtlla has developed . way OF Joining
them after his evening visits to his
sister: and he brings such = spirit OF
Latin gaisty that they quit their for.
NAL games. and take always to music
and conversation when he enters. Ro.
sale especially delights In him. He
has quick turn Of the tongue which
matches her own: and they fence with
kood-natured repartee. Whenever Es.
trilla enters tho room his eyes travel
to Bstsy.Barbara and they two play
In . boy.and.kirl spirit very charming
and amusinE-to every one but Tom.
my North. All speak well OF Estrilla
Il guess he's . regular man all right,
II he is a wop." says even Tommy.
Miss Estrilla alone never Joins the
group downstairs. Though her eyes
are better. though she can bear some
light. she shows = state OF debility puI
zlink to her physician and alarming 10
her watcher and attendant, Rosaiis Il
Grange. The doctor advises her to re-
turn to q warmer climate before the
New York winter sets in-liks ali
trsnsplAnted LAtins. she 10 very
shivery person. She answers that she
cannot: her brothers business lies IN
New York. and she would be unhapp,
away from him.
The tim. came when Roasiis II
Grange determined to visi. inspector
McGee; she wished TO unload som,
theories OF her own concerning tn.
Hnnska case. Such visits must b.
made with all duo precaution OF sr
orecy. She chose an evening when. n
happened seldom nowadays. nearly al
the bosrdsrs had engagements else
~hers. A. . stop preliminary TO he
diplomaciss. she telephonsd TO Mcos,
and made with him an appointment IA
from tho once. Then shs approachs,
Betsy. barbara.
"1ts asking . lot OF you. my dsAr.
she said. but I've been so busy Esttiu
this place shook together tha,
haven't had time to mind my own al
fairs. I've a cousin In town an jes
haven't had time 20 pay her any ai
tention. Miss Estriiia 10 kind OF nsr,
Gus tonight. an I hate to leave he
alone until her brother eom-s-An,
how. he misser soma evenings. Jus
sit by her-an' II he shows up yo
don't have 10 do even that"
Betsy barbara accepted tn. new r,
sponslbillty.
I'D love e." abe said almost oheei
fully. Constance In going TO try I
get some sleep tonight, and III pu, he
TO bed right after dinner. And Nv
been dyinF TO meet NisH Es,riils"
Miss EAtrllla'r appearance appeaie
} at once tt Betsy bafbatas quick syn
: naihlss, Her eyes were shaded
further she wore heavy colorad siasi
! ~, Hho was a rather tall and slnnds
b woman, Betsy barbara decided Ther
? was Kind OF exquisite ahynsss sbo,