"Yes, and when did you arrive? Oh, I see you are reading that speech of father's, quite a crack thing, the papers say. Father enjoys that sort of work amazingly. But I never could endure it. I'm constituted differently, you know." "I don't think that I quite understand you." Roswell laughed, and looked wise. "Speechifying I mean. But you need not trouble yourself to correct that proof," as he saw the young collegian make a mark on the margin with his pencil. "Ha! Ha! Ha! That was printed and distributed two days ago. That's an old ruse of father's to get your opinion of his speech." The stranger, not relishing this style of conversation, remained silent. "I'm sorry your sister retired before I came home," Roswell went on. "Perhaps she was offended because I was so late. But indeed I could not help it. I've taken a mighty fancy to your sister and tell her all my tricks with the governor," nodding toward the proof-sheet. "Why it's just the easiest thing in the world to wheedle him out of money. Just flatter him up about his speeches; tell him what so and so said of them, all shoddy, you know, of my manufacture, and out comes an X before he is aware." "I earnestly hope that my sister does not practise such deception," seriously remarked Mr. Edmond. Mrs. Tracy's entrance, followed by her husband, prevented a reply to this observation. The guest took this opportunity to impart the information that he was going to visit Maytown for a few days and wished to take his sister with him. Then, as no objection was made on the part of the guardian, he pleaded fatigue after his journey, and retired to his chamber, carrying the proof-sheet with him. His room adjoined his sister's, though there was no connection between them. Presently he heard a low tap at his chamber door. "Is it all settled?" she inquired eagerly. "Are we really going?" "Yes really, by the first train to-morrow morning." She clasped her hands joyfully, her whole face sparkling with animation; but she did not speak. "What kind of a youth is Mr. Tracy's son?" demanded the brother. "He tells me strange things of you." "Of me? Hush! I cannot breathe in the house with him. There, kiss me good-night again. I must go. To-morrow I'll tell you everything." [Illustration] CHAPTER V. HELEN'S SECRET. BUT to-morrow, her mood had changed. And when, as soon as they were comfortably seated in the cars, he urged her to relieve his mind, and tell him all she knew of the youth who bore his precious father's name, she quietly refused. "It is not my secret; I have no right to know it. I did not obtain my information honorably. That is, I overheard a conversation not intended for my ear, and I did not allow my presence to be discovered even when I might. I was spellbound. I could not have stirred for the world. And now I would not be ignorant of what I heard; no, not for every dollar dear papa left me."