The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-07-14

II'N III fdI'U navy N'i IIIdl'hS''i
it, | cried, gazing at hcr in sheer nd-
mjration.
""That is tho dearest old soul in
whom nature over planted the ruri"s-
ity of n ona She just fused Owe
me as though she was a hen and | her
u chicken"
Tho h~ousckccpcr came TO toll us she
had prepared some breakfast for us in
the opposite room. "'Thc good father
would have wished this" she said. ut
is the best I can do for the moment
Eggs. ham, pottcd meats. good white
wheaton bread. butter and delicious
coffee needed no sort of apology. 1t
was like a feast for the gods in our
famished eyes, and down we sat at
once. We had nearly finished and We're
lingering Yer the coffee and laughing
carclcssly together at something which
Nolna had said had my cup in my
hand. ! remember-when tho door was
opened al unexpectedly and the priest
entered.
I don't think I over felt so foolish
and confused in my life. ! set the cup
y y, lASiISl W LIZ i'''ts W H. III
and rose with a most shamefaccd,
down at heel manner. Stammering
some kind of apology as I met his
grave, protesting. surprised look.
But Volna came to the rescue with
magnificent self possession. Girls have
these inspirations and beat us hollow
in such cases. Without Il sign Of awk-
wa ~ sale nnH,Sc,,rpoc cha
rose and went up to him. smiling win
somelv.
"Fathcr Ambrose. | am in sore trou-
BILE and have como to ask my dear
mothers old friend to help me-
1t was IN inspiration, nothing less.
All the protest died out Of his eyes in
the softcned look Of puzzled inquiry
he bent on her.
"Your mother" he repeated so gently.
81 am Nolna Drakona.' lie turned
: toward mo. THAT was not the truth
we told YOU yesterday. Before you
condemn us hear all u story. My
mothers peril was the reason. You
will listen to me-"
II do pot understand. but your moth
er's child could ncver appeal Il me for
a hearing in vain. And this gentle
man.
He is Mr.. Robert Anstruthcr. an
EngliShman, who has risked his liberty
and his life to help me-"
l saw that this partial explanation
only added to the good mans utter be
wilderment. He stood looking from
one TO the other of us and then passed
his hand slowly across his brow. Next
he laid it gently on Nolna's head and
smoothcd her hair while he .azcl into
her acc.
YES. you must be her daughter.
Come to my study. and just tell me
everything."
He opened the door for her. and |
was following when he turned and said
c%ourtcously but With unmistakable sig
n%iticancc. II will speak with YOU after
ward. sir"
Then the door closed on them.
wa by no means sorry that Father
Ambrose preferred TO soc Nolna alone.
1t was her influence. not mine. which
would have any effect upon him. and
il was certain she would he able to OK
ort that influence better alone than if
| were present at the interview.
| had ample time to mediate. for it
was more than an hour before he came
back to me. He looked exceedingly
grave and troubled and asked me to go
to his study. Nolna was not there. He
tool. his Soai al his u-,-itjnr 1ol)o onl
waved me to one opposite to him. and
for a m or W. he said nothing.
mir. .\n>trulher. | don't know how
YOU regard tho fnl>chood YOU told me
yesterday and induced my friends
child to act:"
"lt was on the impulse of the mo-
ment. and | am compelled to admit it
was only ono of many | have had to
tell in the las, two days. But don't
think it is my habit to lie
Your name is really Robert An
struthcr"'
YES. Blu, can give YOU no proof.
My papers wore taken-
II" interrupted With Il wave "f tho
hand. II know. am aware that |
must take our word"
II have perhaps deserved that word
must. hut il ranklc>. II YOU feel that
my action yesterday prevents your he
| licvin= what | toll YOU wc may as we'll
close this conversation at once
"Spokrn hastily, like =, Young man,
bu, NOT, unnatural perhaps in the cir
cumstanrrs. That You should have
deceived me with such ready sp%cciou>-
ness is scarcely calculated, however. 1c
convince me of your good faith. Per,
hapS YOU can appreciate that
His cold one and calm. clear glance
emphasized this. and it hurt. | made
no reply and dropped my eyes.
Can you see that
You are quite entitled to take your
own view Of it, of course. But if the
conditions We're repeated ! should prob
ably do it again"