ibrary. Mrs.
Waldstricker walked to the window and looked out, her eyes full of
tears.

"Helen," said Ebenezer, gravely, taking her by the shoulders and turning
her face toward him. "You displease me very much."

The drops hanging on the long lashes fell suddenly.

"I'm sorry, dear, but I can't see why you always antagonize Deforrest.
You remember how angry he was after that church affair."

"Your brother's anger doesn't affect me in the slightest," returned
Ebenezer coldly. "When I see my duty to God, I do it, that's all."

"And you're really determined--Oh, Eb dear, for my sake, please--"

The husband made an impatient movement.

"Helen, how many times have I got to forbid your crying this way. You're
always in tears. You'll make yourself sick."

"Lately you've been so cross to me," sobbed Helen, burying her face in
her handkerchief.

Waldstricker put his arm about her.

"I don't want to be cross.... There!... Now lie down here on the
divan.... I'm going out for an hour or two."

Then he put on his cap, took up his riding whip, and went away to the
stables.

A few minutes later Helen Waldstricker sat up straight, and rang the
bell. To the servant who appeared, she said,

"Find Mr. Graves and send him to me immediately."

When Frederick received the message, cold chills chased each other up
and down his back. Dismayed, he desired to disobey but dared not,
besides Helen was the least dangerous of the three. What could she want,
he considered queruously. He hadn't had a minute's peace since he came
home. Madelene was in a state of tears nearly all the time; his
brother-in-law, dictatorial, difficult even in his milder moods, seemed
secretive and suspicious. As far as he was concerned, he kept from the
house as much as possible, but this only provoked to a greater degree
his young wife's tears and complaints. Only this morning, he had been
treated to a spell of hysterics the like of which Madelene had never
before equalled.

His wife would not believe his oft-repeated assertions that he had not
been to the Skinner cabin since the day she had surprised him there.
Frederick had spoken truly. His fear of his powerful brother-in-law and
his own lack of moral courage allowed the days to drift along until now
he felt he could not go into the presence of the girl he had thus
neglected.

He watched until his brother-in-law drove from the stables and
disappeared. Then he turned and went into the library. Helen