Part 20 (1/2)

”I'll do that,” said the Scotset his horse

”Now look here, Eustace,” Mr Orban said, ”I'ht, whatever happens Mother would not thankfever But you'll have to keep a quiet tongue in your head and say nothing about Bob's leaving our house to-day If you say nothing, Mrs

Cochrane and Trix will only fancy he is staying with us”

”O father,” Eustace said pleadingly, ”need I stay really?”

The prospect frightened him, for he was terrified lest he should let the cat out of the bag Keeping a secret was not one of his accomplishments

”Yes, my lad,” was the answer, however; ”there is to be no question about it, and you are to behave like a man Anxiety is much worse to bear than any bodily hurt, and a man should protect a wo tortured Do you understand?”

”Yes, father,” Eustace said, with a sinking heart

”It isn't a little thing to do,” Mr Orban went on; ”it is one of the big things, for itto oneself to talk things out You'll have plenty of things to say withoutBob Tell them about Aunt Dorothy and her queer mistakes--the boxes you have unpacked--Ah, Mrs

Cochrane,” he broke off suddenly, looking up to a figure that appeared on the upper veranda, ”how do you do? I've just come over to steal your husband for a bit I hope you won't e in his father's tone; it was brisk, cheery, and impossible to suspect

”But won't you co like a little brown robin ”You must be hot and tired”

”Not a bit,” Mr Orban said; ”and I'ive the rudeness I want you to do ht I never thought how late I o back by Gairloch”

”Certainly, I'll keep the dear laddie with pleasure,” was the cordial answer, and the kindly look that beamed on Eustace positively hurt him She looked so happy, and oh, what awful neas there in store for her!

”I ht,” Mr Orban added ”You won't be scared if he doesn't turn up in good time for bed?”

”Not I,” said Mrs Cochrane ”I know s are always safe with you”

Eustace could have cried at the words ”Safe!” and where was Bob whom she pictured so safely at this very minute in the Orbans'

house? Mr Orban did not look up as he said,--

”Don't expect Bob either Eustace will tell you all about what a ot a witch into it, as Bob calls her Here comes Cochrane I hope he won't want an hour to say farewell”

”Not I,” said Mr Cochrane bravely ”Orban has ies, I suppose?”

He ran up the steps, said good-bye, and in a fewEustace to face a terrible ordeal

He took his father's suggestion and talked much of Miss Chase It was made easy for him by the kindly curiosity of both Mrs Cochrane and Trixy

Beatrix was a jolly girl, rather like Bob both in looks and ways

She was older for her age than Nesta, perhaps because she had no co to keep her back Eustace and she always got on well together, and to-night he was grateful to her for being such a chatterbox The story of Aunt Dorothy's lunatics h till the tears ran down their cheeks It was harder to tell the before, for that was all so full of Bob

It struck Mrs Cochrane after a tiularly pale, and that the boy was talking rather fast and excitedly, unlike his usual self

”Do you know,” she said, ”I believe you are very tired, Eustace