From out the Vasty Deep

y rooms upstairs and down, Helen Brabazon uttered an exclamation of pleasure and rather na?ve admiration. Not a corner or a passage-way but had some

e. "How strange that Milly did not love this wonderful old house!" she exclaimed. And then, when they had gone a little fu

d, embarrassed look which crossed his face while he confessed his ignorance, Helen felt sharply sorry that she had asked the qu

about herself Varick would have liked altered was her association with that part of his life to which he never willingly returned, even in his thoughts. The part of his life, that is, which had been spent by his dying wife and himself at Redsands. It was with nervous horror that he unwillingly recalled any incident, however slight, connected with

and of friendship, about the delightful old house, there was scarce a thought in Lio

elling himself, rather ruefully the while, that she was not the type of girl that at any time of his life would have natura

ave very well. He would "make good," as our American cousins call it; he would go into public life, maybe, and make a big name for himself, and, incidentally, for her. What might he not do, indeed-with Helen Brabazon's vast fortune joined to her impeccable

given anything-anything-to have known what was behind those candid hazel eyes, that broad white

at would have occurred to Varick himself-of a rabbit for a cobra. He had had but to look at the self-absorbed, shy, diffident human being, to fascinate and draw her to himself. The task would have been almost too easy

ent Lionel Varick, had fast ripened, fostered by the romantic Italian atmosphere. During these three days Varick, almost without trying to do so, had learnt all there was to learn of the simple-minded spinster and of her financial circumstances. But he was not the man t

he knew that he was not likely to be so fortunate this time. Bu

Perhaps it was a good thing that her cantankerous old uncle had betaken himself off. Misfortune had a way of turning itself into g

wing her into the haunted room, she clapped her hands delightedly. "This is exa

s Farrow's present bed-chamber, with its tapestried and panelled walls, its red brocaded curtains, and carved oak furniture, the whole lit up by a bright, cheerful f

. She leant over and stared down i

place must be in sum

come and see it,

w turning her bright, guileless, eager face to his would then be installed at Wyndfell Hall as his wife, and therefore as mistress of the wonderful

party. He felt that she might become a disturbing element in the pleasant gathering. Also he was beginnin

nk of Bubbles Du

e: "I couldn't help being very much impressed last night, Mr. Varick. You see, my father, who died when I

u didn't know? To my mind what happened last night was simply a

's hesitation, "that she said my father didn't

little tricky and malicious sometime

led. "Is there really? How

as gospel truth," he observed, lighting a cigar

Helen's mind exactly the impression he had meant to do. If Bubbles said anything about