For the Allinson Honor

ed. Leonard sat in a basket-chair, talking to Mrs. Fenwood, an elderly widow with an austere expression; his wife and Gertrude

e're a decorous lot," Wannop remarked, surveying the others with amusement. "Personally, I should be glad if we were a

"If I have been correctly informed, the matter demands attention. Hitherto th

m? I seem to

ous story about Arthur, but I am glad to say it was disproved. But

op s

and pathetic air which is highly fetching. St

. "I understand that Andrew is at her house now, and I must confess that a

d I don't suppose you used to look the other way when you met a pretty girl; but I'll go bail Andrew only visi

d addressed Leonar

of the new mine and wishes to be made a director. As a relative a

g for an opening, and h

happens, his abilities hardly enter into the question. It is merely needful that we should have a representative on the spot to whom we can send

experience and inaptitude c

o him for so plainly e

e that the change will be

he family to cite a remark of his in open disparagement of his brother-in-law, though he had cunni

ll know that Andrew's visits to this woman are being talked about. What is more serious

shocked look, turned to the clergyman, as if

d Robert firmly. "I agree with Leonard that our inf

op s

ortunate that Andre

may be struggling against the creature's influ

's abilities and determination." Wannop looked hard at Leonard. "You are going to put him into a posit

matter. The Allinsons regarded Wannop as a thoughtless person whose moral code was somew

iness matters, I should have neither the desi

ture for Canada," Robert said decidedly. "There is only another point-I wonder

. He was easy-going, but there

atching of the plot until Andrew

gine that any fear of Andrew's displeasure would deter me in

check

parish isn't threatened by Mrs. Olcott. There are, however, one or two abuses you could pu

Wannop made her husband a

ter any more," she said. "It is decide

tes later Wannop left them. Crossing the

he asked. "I haven't

of the way," said Hilda pointedly. "Now what

nswered Wannop with twinkling eyes

iscussing my erring bro

I, whose opinions don't count for much,

him a grate

ost clearly. I have always fel

er a humo

o deserve suc

out Andrew. Of course, I make fun of him now and then, but I'm very fond of

ng of the kind has occur

hesi

an idea that all along he has been gently pushing Andrew aside, making him look silly, and undermining t

p sta

than mine. You may be right, though it's not n

her believe in the immaculate Leonard some da

nobody

derstood; and it would b

o who are not supposed to count-you because you're too young and charming; I because I haven't the fine moral fastidiousness and air of

I like her-there isn't the least reason why I shouldn't-and I'm sorry for her. I know she feels bein

Robert mean

s properly as an owl in daylight, but solemn stupid people often pass for being wis

sign of rather

ight perhaps venture to interfere in this matter. After all, there's a sense in

lking, it would only make him angry. You know h

lthough Hilda begged them to wait for dinner nobody seemed anxious to

sked. "You all looked so serious

anced at h

d that there are matters whic

remark is too much in Robert's style. Impr

oughtful eyes. He believed he enjoyed her sist

alled one afternoon at The Firs, where he was received by Mrs. Olcott i

wife," he began, taking the

called on me and, if I remembe

not enc

in-law, Hilda, bette

's expressi

have reason to be

as I am more than double her age, she now and then favors me with her confidenc

ter his walk, but he had a reassuring smile and his red face seem

I don't know where else to go and i

verty, and Wannop felt compassionate. She was young and i

that?" h

esolution Mrs. Olcott

n't have allowed this, but when he was wounded in the wa

de that clear. But won't you

The rent was ten pounds more and I must share the cost of the alterations, while the field adjoining, which must go with The Firs, would be another ex

oud, and smiled at his hostess. "I beg your pardon. I supp

t started

if it is, I can't und

had better be candid. I venture t

onnection of the Allinsons, who seem bent o

hat on some points she and I are not quite in accord with the rest of the fami

cions about his errand had vanish

es back," he said. "After all, your neighbors are honest as

yes sparkled, b

d out. They have attack

tter of the house to m

illing to take

p lau

arson's wheel; for another, Andrew made you a pr

and held o

ow your courage and hold your ground.

neighboring town. He was shown into a dingy room, where

nd the cost of the repairs you agreed to, I find that the return on my property for the past year is

t looked

to put the screw on your tenan

Allinson would wish any undue pressure put on his tenants ei

s without answering

h a good deal to you, though Maxwell see

n I have got," Judson declared. "I should

look after the Reverend Robert Allinson's prop

beginning to understand wh

e mentioned the misunderstanding about her lease. I may tell

if he must offend either Wannop or the

he Firs and I was to have some alterations made. He was driving, and

s correct, for Andrew

enant with needful repairs; and you mustn't be hard on Mrs. Olcott about t

do so and Wannop to

d to buy Bell's place, and you can see his a

hints would be attended to. D

told her. "It's very unlikely that she'

ried Hilda. "But how

p chu

always desirable. When you know how

you have a suspiciously complacent look. One cou

feel that we have held our own against the more b

d around a turn in th

he remarked. "May

. "However, you'll agree that the w

ed. "Still, I fail to understand what the fai

"I'll admit that it doesn't se