n't, tell your aunt. But don't tell
her until the last minute, and--but here's your cousin._"

CHAPTER XIX.

HELEN LEAVES AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

Helen Burton and Travers Gladwin were almost at the door leading from
the treasure room when the young man stopped and confronted the girl,
whose eyes were still bright with the anger he had kindled in them. He
smiled rather sheepishly as he said:

"Suppose I were to tell you that I am Travers Gladwin and that the
other Travers Gladwin with whom you think you are in love is not
Travers Gladwin at all?"

Her lip curled and she regarded him scornfully. But she said nothing.

He went on into the other room, holding back the portiere for her to
follow.

"Why don't you answer my question?" he insisted as she passed him.

"It is much too silly," she said sharply. Then in a different tone to
her cousin, who still stood by Whitney Barnes, with her color coming
and going by turns:

"Oh, Sadie, why didn't you come with us? Travers has the most
wonderful things."

"Then you are not going to answer my question?" Travers Gladwin asked
again.

"I said it was much too silly," the girl returned with increasing
vehemence. Gladwin came forward and explained to Barnes and Sadie:

"I have been asking Miss--er--I've been asking how she'd take to the
idea of my being Travers Gladwin."

Helen was now thoroughly aroused as she turned:

"Why do you persist in asking such a question?"

"I was wondering," he said quickly, "whether you were in love with the
man or the name."

"Have I given you the impression"----she began, haughtily, scarcely
able to control her anger.

"Yes, you have," he said warmly, and with all the dramatic emphasis he
could command. "I am afraid you were thinking more of that rescue at
Narragansett and your desire to be free of poor Mr. Hogg than you were
of--of my poor friend."

This insult was more than she could endure. She turned her back to
address Whitney Barnes.

"Shall you be here when Travers returns?" she said imperiously.

"I am sure to see him before I leave," responded the young man.

"And would you be kind enough to give him a message for me?"

She had gathered up her fur piece and muff and was moving toward the
door.

"Delighted," said Barnes, with a deferential bow.

"Thank you so much. I want you to tell him that I cannot avoid the
opera to-night--that I have simply got to go, but that I'll get away
as soon as I can and come t