Part 8 (1/2)
She went out, leaving Jean bewildered and spent with e that her father was busy, she returned to the papers, and tried to read But the words passed in front of her eyes without , and, after fifteen minutes of this, she rose determinedly
The knock on her father's study door elicited a growl of inquiry, and she went in without answering Old Angus Fitzpatrick sat bent over his desk writing, his white beard sweeping the polished wood
He wore large horn spectacles
”Father,” began the girl, coht to the point, ”do you know an old Ojibway squaw by the name of Maria?”
Neither the bulk of the man nor his stolidity could hide the involuntary start the words gave hihter fro brows
”Yes, I have seen her, I think,” he replied cautiously after a moment ”Why?”
”She ca you butts was about to send her ahen I interfered and talked to her htens me”
”You talked with her?” asked the factor hastily, his agitation undisguised this ti definite She has a lot of nasty rumors in her head Maybe they're facts, but she only spoke in hints She said the facts she would tell only to you”
Angus Fitzpatrick heaved an inaudible sigh of relief The old squaw, then, had been discreet
”What was the subject of her conversation?” he asked, sharply
The girl hesitated and flushed
”Horrid hints regarding Don--Captain McTavish,” she said, finally
Then, her indignation rising onceI have heard froht or privilege to s Now, father, I have co is
You can tell me in five minutes, if you will Ah, yes, you can,”
she insisted, as the factor started to deny ”Yes, you can; old Maria said so, and I believe her After last surew to be very fond of his cos into estures--all the things that can da had happened!
So had come to your notice that made you do all that You never liked Donald, but you didn't really oppose him before that time Noant to knohat this is” Her voice hardened ”I'irl; I'h to think for myself, and I demand to knohat mystery has forced a black shadoeen us”
She stopped, breathless, the color going and cohts in the sky
Old Angus Fitzpatrick, ahter, had risen to his feet ToThis the girl, in excellent ihly, glaring at her through his spectacles
”Do you mean to stand there and say that you de?” he roared ”Well, I refuse, that's all”
And he turned angrily away froirl mastered herself, and asked in a cold, even voice:
”Will you tell ainst Donald McTavish?
”Do you demand to know?
”No, I ask it”
”Well, then, there is A perfectly good reason why you can never marry him”