Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/263



O Lucy Allison is going to be married, O and to an American—George Trevelyan. I am surprised." Mrs. Donald lay back in her chair, and gazed thoughtfully at the tips of her little shoes set cosily upon the fender.

"And why surprised?" one of her companions said drowsily, shading her face from the glow of the fire with her long thin hands. "It's the lot of most weak women."

Miss Anderson was not married, and her tone implied that it was her own strength of will that had saved her.

"Have you never seen—anything strange about one of the Miss Allisons?"

Mrs. Donald looked around at the faces shining dimly in the half light of the fire. There was a sudden movement of interest; chairs moved forward. It was the start of the