"LeGrand! Oh, I'm so glad you came! What is it? Why did you send me a note to meet you in this lonely place? I'm so afraid!""Afraid? Lonely? Why, it's early evening, and this is a public park," the man answered in a low voice."I wanted you to come here as it's the best place for us to talk - where we can't be overheard.""But why are you so afraid of being overheard?""Oh, things are so mixed up - one can't be too careful.Minnie, we must settle our affairs.""Settle them?You mean - ?"
"I mean we can't go on this way.I must have you! I've waited long enough.You know I love you - that I've never loved any one else as I've loved you! I can't stand it any longer without you.I have asked you to marry me several times.Each time you have put it off for some reason or other.Now we must settle it.Are you going to marry me or not? No matter what your folks say about me and this Carwell affair.Do you - do you care for me?"The answer was so low and so muffled that the colonel was glad he could not hear it.
"Confound it all!" he murmured, "that's the worst of this business!Idon't mind anything but the love-making.I hate to break in on that!" There was an eloquent silence, and then LeGrand Blossom said: "I am very happy, Minnie.""And so am I.Now what shall we do?"
"Get married as soon as possible, of course.I've got to wind up matters here, and as soon as I can I may take up an offer that came from Boston.It's a very good one.Would you go there with me?""Yes, LeGrand.I'd go anywhere with you - you know that.""I'm glad I do, my dear.It may be necessary to go very soon, and - well, we won't stop to say good-bye, either.""Why! what do you mean " and the hidden detective knew that the girl had drawn away from the young man.
"Oh, I mean that we won't bother about the fuss of a farewell-party.I'm not tied to the Carwell business.In fact I'd be glad to chuck it.There's nothing in it any more, since there's no chance for a partnership.We'll just go off by ourselves and be happy - won't we, Minnie?""I hope so, LeGrand.But must we go away? Can't you get something else here?""I think we must, yes."
"You haven't had trouble with - with Viola, have you?" "No.What made you think of that?""Oh, it was just a notion.Well, if we have to leave we will.I shall hate to go, however.But, I'll be with you - " and again the words were smothered.
"I wonder what sort of a double-cross game he's playing," mused the colonel when the two had left the park and he, rather stiff from his position, shuffled to the lonely spot where he had before made a change of garments.Attired as his usual self, he went back to The Haven, and spent rather a restless night.
Minnie Webb was perplexed.She loved LeGrand Blossom - there was no doubt of that - but she did not see why he should have to leave the vicinity of Lakeside where she had lived so many years - at least during the summer months.All her friends and acquaintances were there.
"I wonder if Viola has given him notice to leave since she came intoher father's property," mused Minnie."I'm going to ask her.He may never get such a good place in Boston as he has here.I'll see if I can't find out why he wants to leave.It can't be just because father does not care much for him."So she called on Viola, as she had done often of late, and found her friend sitting silent, and with unseeing eyes staring at the rows of books in the library.
"Oh, Minnie, it was so good of you to come! I'm very glad to see you.Since father went it has been very lonely.You look extremely well.""I am well - and - happy.Oh, Viola, you're the first I have told, but- but Mr.Blossom has - asked me to marry him, and - ""Oh, how lovely! And you've said `yes!' I can tell that!" and Viola smiled and kissed her friend impulsively."Tell me all about it!""And so it's all settled," went on Minnie, after much talk and many questions and answers."Only I'm sorry he's going to leave you.""Going to leave me!" exclaimed Viola.Her voice was incredulous."Well, I mean going to give up the management of your business.I'msure you'll miss him."
"I shall indeed! But I did not know Mr.Blossom was going to leave.He has said nothing to me or Aunt Mary about it.In fact, I - ""Oh, is there something wrong?" asked Minnie quickly, struck by something in Viola's voice.
"Well, nothing wrong, as far as we know.But - ""Oh, please tell me!" begged Minnie."I am sure you are concealing something.""Well, I will tell you!" said Viola at last."I feel that I ought to, as you may hear of it publicly.It concerns fifteen thousand dollars," and she went into details about the loan, which one party said had been paid, and of which Blossom said there was no record.
"Oh!" gasped Minnie Webb."Oh, what does it mean?" and, worried and heartsick, lest she should have made a mistake, she sat looking dumbly at Viola...
