Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

"

"Will you keep my secret?" demanded Eliza, uneasily.

Louise glanced at the door that communicated with Beth's room. It stood

open, but Eliza had not noticed that, as it was behind her. Just now a

shadow cast from the other room wavered an instant over the rug, and

Louise's quick eyes caught it.

"I promise to keep your secret, dear," she said earnestly.

The two girls rose and stood facing each other. Louise kissed the

beautiful Eliza and whispered:

"Here is one thing for you to remember--that we are always to be true

friends, from this time forward. If anyone annoys you, come to me, and I

will protect you."

"Thank you, Miss Louise," said Eliza, and then she went away to her own

room in a quieter and more thoughtful mood than usual.

When she had gone Louise ran to the door communicating with Beth's room,

and to her satisfaction found both her cousins, with Kenneth, Uncle John

and Mr. Burke, seated in a group where they must have overheard all that

had been said.

"Well!" she cried, eagerly, "did you hear? And what do you think of it

all?"

"It's Lucy Rogers, sure enough," said Kenneth.

Louise looked at Mr. Burke.

"It is the most singular case that has ever come under my observation,"

stated that gentleman. "The girl is perfectly sane, but she has suffered

a strange lapse of memory. I have two alternatives to advise. One is to

telegraph at once for a specialist. The other is to permit the girl to

go away, as she suggests. She will be happier to do so, I am sure."

"Oh, no!" cried the girls.

"She owes a duty to her parents and friends, as well as to herself,"

said Kenneth, "and I see no reason why she should be unhappy in the

future as Lucy Rogers."

Mr. Burke merely shrugged his shoulders.

"Please wire for the specialist at once," said Uncle John.

CHAPTER XIX

PATSY INDULGES IN EAVESDROPPING

Miss Patricia Doyle awakened at daybreak next morning with a throbbing

toothache. She wasn't accustomed to such pains and found it hard to

bear. She tried the application of a hot-water bag, and the tooth ached

harder; she tried a cold compress, and it jumped with renewed activity.