Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-01
CHAPTER xxIv.-(Continued.

L
The years passed in careful edu-
cation Of the cousins Constance and
Rosalind for their exalted place in
the world. Then, when Rosalind
was seventeen. she met on the street
her fathers protege and secretary.
Abel. For the first time she learned
of the accident that had left Vasili
Arloff a cripple, poor, and with q
memory manned like his beautiful
body.
There had been a scene between
Mrs. Bruce and her youngest grand
daughter, with words violent as
blows.
To Rosalind was offered her choice
pleasure and ease, Or starvation with
her father. Her decision was in
slant; she went to Vasili Arloff that
night.
And that is ALL, concluded Mrs.
Lancaster. I'VE never heard from
her. OF course, I was frightfully up
set, and I really believe the affair
fastened grandmother's death. But,
wild as Rosalind was. General Noel,
we must allow for much. She was
half Of Vasili's blood, poor child!"
Fortunately for me-" said Noel,
with a arcasm he could not curb,
II am a plebian, you see. 1 am very
grateful, Mrs. Lancaster, and 1 will
not trespass further upon your time
and Kindness"
Il wonder" she began. staring at
him speculatively; %but, of course.
that is impossible!"
What is that?"
why, when Rosalind was a lit
someone she called her shivering
boy She used to watch at the win
dow for him, until grandmamma
forbade it. l was five years older,
so I remember more. Surely"
Noel evaded any nswer Some
how, he was out of the house and
back to the taxicab.
1t was during the drive to his ho-
tel that a new recollection came and
set itself beside his discovery. Corey
Bruce was the cousin of Constance
His letters to a lady nameA Rose, the
letters upon which Milo delighted to
rally him, were they, then, letters to
Rosalind Arlof? K.
Did Rosalind love Bruce, and did
there lie in that the true cause of
Noel's dismissal?
1t was dark and the lamps were
lighted when Noel walked into his
own apartment. To Benito, who
isprang to attend him. the master put
a brief demand.
Senior Bruce?"
"He is in his ROOM"
"Send him to me-"
Bruce was not long in appearing:
fresh from the bath, he came wrapped
in a striped dressing gown. his red
hair a trife more d~ishevelled than
usual. Noel wasted no time.
Bruce, do you know Rosalind Ar
lof?"
"she is my cousin" answered
Bruce. without surprise. Il call her
Rose"
The two men looked steadily at
You knew. then, the story Of the
little shoes when 1 took you to my
house i"
vaguely at first! Afterward it came
back! 1 fancied it was Rose they
used to tease about that, when we
were children. not Constance. And,
well-it sounded moreslike Rose. She
was always giving things! But /
could not be sure. When I wrote
which Of. them it was who had given
away her shoes. She never would
answer the question:"
80" Noel said with a restrained
anger that shook him physically
You have communicated all you
learned or guessed in my house Of
my feelings or hopes to your people
You took that advantage"
Yes" said Bruce dryly. II did
He faced the angry Noel. hands ir
the pockets of his striped robe
volumes. 1 told her the kind of hole
you found me in, and why you tool
me out of it. ] told her Of your
kindness to a convict you took into
your home merely because you be.
lieved his name made him kin to the
giver of the shoes. 1 told her OF
your house and the gate-pillars anc
the closed rooms for the mistress o.
the villa who was to come. I TOLD
her how you worked for your South
America and your North America
north last time, I had told her enough
to make her see--what I saw ever,
day. And I told her about m.
glasses!"
"since you told her so much" Noe
said. with sarcasm. you might hav,
told me of my mistake"
YES" admitted Brce very quietly
II might. But I was lot sure! 70,
never said you were going north tt
find the giver Of the shoes. And thel
it. might have been Constance, ate
all: Rosalind never told me. And
and have loved Rose all my life
too"
She"
"Oh, no! Never! why-wh.
should she? 1 think have talkel
to Milo today, I think it is you"
Where is she now?"