MRS. RUTHVEN SPEAKS HER MIND.
Leaving the shore of the bay, St. John Ruthven walked slowly toward the home of his aunt.
It irritated him greatly to think that his cousin preferred the society of Jack to his own.
"I must speak to Aunt Alice about this," he said to himself. "It is getting worse and worse."
He found his aunt sitting in the garden reading. She looked up in surprise at his approach.
"Aunt Alice, can you spare me a few minutes?" he said, after the usual greeting.
"Surely, St. John. What is it that you wish?"
"I wish to speak to you about Marion."
"About Marion?" Mrs. Ruthven looked somewhat surprised.
"Yes. I saw her out again in a boat with that boy."