uld he do when he knew it?

Estelle felt the picnic not altogether a failure, yet saw little signs
of a situation more hopeful at present.

"I can win him," she decided; "but it looks as though his father never
would."

CHAPTER XIII

THE RUNAWAY

Estelle was as good as her word and devoted not a few of his holidays to
the pleasure of Sabina's son. Unconsciously she hastened the progress of
other matters, for her resolute attempt to win Abel, at any cost of
patience and trouble, brought her still deeper into the hidden life and
ambitions of the boy's father.

She was frank with Raymond, and when Abel had gone back to school and
made no sign, Estelle related her experiences.

"He's sworn eternal friendship with me," she said, "but it's not a
friendship that extends to you, or anybody else. He's very narrow. He
concentrates in a terrifying way and wants everything. He told me that
he hated me to have any other friends but him. It took him a long time
to decide about me; but now he has decided. He extracts terrific oaths
of secrecy and then imparts his secrets. Before giving the oaths, I
always tell him I shan't keep them if he's going to confide anything
wicked; but his secrets are harmless enough. The last was a wonderful
hiding-place. He spends many hours in it. I nearly broke my neck getting
there. That's how far we've reached these holidays; and after next term
I shall try again."

"He's got a heart, if one could only reach it, I suppose."

"A very hot heart. I shall try to extend his sympathies when he comes
back."

Her intention added further fuel to the fire burning in Raymond's own
thoughts. He saw both danger and hope in the situation, as it might
develop from this point. The time was drawing nearer when he meant to
ask Estelle to marry him, and since he looked now at life and all its
relations from this standpoint, he began to consider his son therefrom.

On the whole he was cheered by Estelle's achievements and argued well of
them. The danger he set aside, and chose rather to reflect on the hope.
With Abel back at school again and his mother in a more placid temper,
there came a moment of peace. Ironsyde was able to forget them and did
so thankfully, while he concentrated on the task before him. He felt
very doubtful, both of Estelle's response and her father's view. The
girl herself, however, was all that mattered, for Waldron would most
surely approve her choice whatever it might be. Arth